Student Services

The Student Services Department is responsible for the general student welfare. Included under the Department are offices whose responsibilities differ widely from alumni and career advisement to health and social activities. Student complaints and/or queries regarding academic and disciplinary matters should be first directed to the Director of the School, and if not resolved, be forwarded to the Registrar.

Student complaints and/or queries regarding financial matters should be directed to the Director, Finance and Accounts.

College is a unique time in your life, make the best of the experience. Participate in campus activities, productions, clubs and programming, read the bulletin boards, and student college email, and commit to engaging fully in student life, and all that Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts has to offer.

The following offices and services are handled by the Student Services Department.

  • Admissions and Orientation
  • Alumni
  • Athletics
  • Health Services and Counselling
  • Clubs and Societies
  • Hall of Residence – Scarlet Hall

For more information on any of the offices, or services of the Student Services Department, please call ext. 2201, or email, horace.prince@emc.edu.jm.

Admissions and Orientation

The Registry is the point of entry for all new and returning students to the EMCVPA and admissions information is available all year round in the Department. Refer to the Registry Department at ext. 2171, or by email registry@emc.edu.jm, for the most current admissions information. Orientation is normally held the week before the commencement of the Academic Year. Orientation is a week-long event, which includes new parent orientation, general assembly, freshman’s breakfast, sessions on financial, spiritual and health wellness, and a welcoming ceremony. Orientation is MANDATORY for all new incoming students.

Alumni

The graduates of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts have excelled locally and internationally as arts educators and practitioners. Our graduates are teachers in primary, secondary and tertiary institution, particularly at the secondary level where they support the CXC and ROSE syllabi – Dance, Music, Drama, Visual Arts and Stage Craft. The graduates have formed popular bands including Roots Underground and Di Blueprint Band, Raging Fyah, C-Sharp, and have also supported internationally-acclaimed musicians. The EMC Alumni Association invites graduates of the College to join in the effective networking of its graduates, by supporting all its activities to enhance the quality of education and welfare of the College.

Athletics

The sports department is managed by a Sports Director, who is responsible for both inter-collegiate and inter-campus sports programme. Generally, there are three (3) inter-collegiate sports teams – football, netball and basketball. The EMCVPA football team was the proud Inter-collegiate Football League (2007) champion, and the Inter-collegiate Knock-Out Competition (2006) champion.

To be eligible to participate in any of the inter-collegiate sports teams, students must be registered full time with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Sports Day is held annually, generally in the second semester, and provides the opportunity for wide-spread participation in sporting competitions between houses. Other inter-campus competitions are planned throughout the school year. Students are encouraged to participate in the variety of sports programming offered.

Counselling

The Guidance Counsellor assists students with any challenges brought on by their adjustments to College life. We encourage students who are experiencing personal difficulties to seek assistance at the earliest possible time so that they have a better chance to regain balance in their lives.

The Guidance Counsellor provides psychological counselling for a variety of issues including depression, stress, interpersonal conflict, bereavement and crisis management. Individual consultations are preferably done by appointment.

The Counselling Unit also coordinates select programmes designed to assist students with financial needs. The Jamaica Values and Attitudes (JAMVAT) programme, coordinated by the Ministry of Education, and the National Youth Service, coordinated by the Ministry of Youth, is one such where students conduct 200 hours of community service in exchanged for 30% of their tuition. The Ministry of Education’s needy student fund is another but is open to a limited number of very needy students.

Information about and application forms for some work and travel programmes can also be obtained at the Counselling Unit.

For assistance students may call ext. 2207, or visit the Guidance Counsellor’s Office located beside the Marketing Department. All services are confidential.