He had decided infirmly to travel far away from his hometown to pursue his new dreams. He was alone all the while. Nobody talked to him as well as he was not able to take any initiative to approach anyone.
Lonely and strange were the descriptions he constructed for the new campus. He faced depression, leading him to withdraw from the university and continue with an introverted life.
Eventually, he was acknowledged by the public when the newspapers reported that he had committed suicide.
“I felt sorry when I read the papers that he had left us,” said Liew Wai Yoon, UTAR counselor.
Liew said there are many freshmen struggling very much in adjusting to a new campus life, especially during orientation week.
“For those come to the university alone without any friends and companion, they really need guidance for direction,” she said.
Hence, Peer Mentoring Programme (PMP) was established in order to help freshmen to adjust to the new campus life during the first month of their arrival here.
PMP offers an effective connection and bridge between seniors and university freshmen so that they are provided with guidance in adapting to the new campus life.
The seniors in the campus, known as mentors, are grouped with numbers of freshmen in the program for a more focused communication and guiding.
“Two mentors and eight mentees are in a group. We will try to pair them up according to the same faculty and course so as for the convenience in academic guiding as well,” said Liew.
PMP is carried in the duration of the first month of every intake, consisting of four sessions with one session each week.
Liew said the ice breaking session is the first session conducted where the mentors and mentees will get to know each other in this session.
After the mentees know their respective mentors, confidence and trust between the relationships are built; the second and third session which is called mentoring will be carried on.
“Mentors will contact their mentees for some gathering, group activities and even having meals together. Meeting up sessions enable the mentees to share their problems with mentors,” Liew said.
The mentors are required to meet with mentees at least two times within the two-week time, and build up contact via email, SMS, MSN, and so on.
Liew received some feedback from the mentors, where they had a nice moment with mentees when they hung out in Westlake during the night for chit chatting and experience sharing.
“It is all up to the creativity of the mentors on how to cultivate a good relationship with mentees so that they can feel that mentors are good companion and source of support,” she said.
Frequent problems faced by freshmen include some personal problems such as relationships with roommate, housemates, course mates, loneliness, homesickness, and financial problems.
Some also faced difficulty in coping new patterns of academic which is different with secondary school, and also language proficiency problem.
“In UTAR, there is a common problem where the Chinese educated students hardly mix with English educated students; the same apply to English-speaking students who find it hard to make friends with Mandarin-speaking students.
“Another problem would be confusion on logistic manner such as how to buy tickets to get back hometown, location of clinics, post office, police station and transportation facilities,” she said.
Saw Jun Wei, a Foundation student who travelled alone from Kuala Lumpur to Kampar, was attracted by a group of mentor during PMP publicity session on orientation week.
“They were so cheerful and friendly and I am very sure that they can help me to cure my difficulty in knowing more about UTAR,” he said.
Saw who felt difficult to adjust to the new life especially during the first few weeks, got to know more about the university such as rules and regulation, facilities available, and so on.
“I still keep in contact with my mentors now and our relationship stay close even though PMP had ended,” he said.
As following the give and take principle after experiencing the true benefit of PMP, Saw plans to register to be a mentor in the future.
“I know the significant benefits of PMP, and I hope juniors can gain something helpful from me in the future,” he said.
Communication only works when the source is willing to share the message and feedback is given from the listener.
Some mentees were too shy and introverted to hang out in group, therefore they registered to join PMP but hardly turned up. This sometimes led mentors to have difficulties in calling up the mentees for a simple gathering.
“As long as the mentees are willing to share their problems, we are always ready to help,” Liew said.
For example, when a freshman can hardly cope with the feeling of loneliness, the mentors will try to help up by paying a hostel visit, invitation for taking meals, or even share their own experience in curing loneliness.
“Mentors are the mirror for mentees. Experience sharing is very useful in helping to sure problems. Mentees would also be introduced to see counselors if their problems and serious cases remain unsolved,” she said.
That is, mentors are supervised by counselors, and both parties will meet up to check on the mentoring progress. Counselors will check with mentors from time to time to make sure the mentee’s condition and problems can be solved.
The mentors serve as a trusted friend, counselor, teacher, or better to be called as more experienced and resourceful seniors, and play a role as a caretaker for freshmen.
They have to go through an interview session and if they pass, the mentors will have to complete the Peer Helping Programme (PHP) module one where they will learn basic communication skills, as well as learn about listening.
“Those who had passed the interview and PHP module one, they are basically ready to serve and help others,” Liew said.
The UTAR counselors are responsible to make sure that mentors are all well-equipped with some skills such as understanding people’s behaviour, enhancing confidence, and competence in commitment and skill in handling group.
To produce a qualified mentor, one-day PMP training is conducted, more about the program is conveyed, and the proper attitude to be a mentor is taught as well.
A final-year Journalism student, who is also a PMP mentor, Foong Cheng Cheng said becoming a mentor is to help up those juniors who are directionless in the new campus life, and mentors should be equipped with an ‘always-helping’ spirit.
“This is not an easy job. I need to spend time in building up a comfortable and good relationship with mentees.
“I always taste satisfaction when I see the mentees eventually cope with new-life adaptation successfully. Now they are enjoying campus life,” she said.
Starting since 2007, PMP is now moving towards a more stable pace and more freshmen are benefitting from it.
“Personally, I have a very special feeling in PMP. It is very meaningful when I do see freshmen struggling so hard initially and at the end manage to go through the obstacles,” Liew said.
PMP always ends with a last session, which is the closing ceremony. This is the time where freshmen are congratulated as they have solved their adjustment problems with the support of mentors.
Appreciation is highlighted as well, from mentees to mentors for being a true and sincere companion through the tough duration.
As for future prospects on PMP, Liew expressed her passion by mentioning the expectation in digging out more shy and quiet freshmen.
“There are more people who indeed need this program, especially those who come from far hometowns with an introvert personality. They are unable to approach people by taking initiative. They really need support from us.
“Those who came to us and registered themselves, they are not shy, and even proactive enough to adjust campus life. Beside this, those who came to UTAR with friends, they already have companion, they are not the actual group who really need PMP,” she said.
Proactive freshmen may just get to know more friends through PMP, but the benefit gained may not be as significant as the introverted one.
“The PMP committee is now finding a way out to approach those people. It is hard to find for them, because introvert group hardly come to us. However, we are still trying our best to approach them, hoping to bring them more comfort and help,” she said.
When one is trapped in darkness and facing obstacles in the progress of chasing new ambition in campus, the panic would be ceased as PMP is always opening the door to guide you.
Susan and Jonathan were excited at the prospect of entering university. Fresh out of high school and SPM, the only things they were thinking in their minds were, “No more uniforms! We’re free to dress as we like!”
Now there, stop at the red light please.
While it is true that there are no more uniforms to be worn in university, we still have something we need to abide by, and that is the dress code. But, why? Why the need for dress codes? We are already young adults, surely we know how to dress ourselves?
That’s right. However, dress codes are still needed so that you don’t cross the line between casual and overly comfortable. While wearing jeans and sneakers are perfectly acceptable when attending classes in the university, pairing short pants with slippers are an absolute no-no.
Before you groan in disbelief, we here at UTAR don’t really have it that bad. If you would care to compare our university to public universities such as Universiti Malaya, Universiti Utara Malaysia, and so on, you would find that their dress codes are even more restricted than ours.
How so restricted, you ask? Well, let’s see. You would have to wear formal wear to classes all the time, to say the least. Now, in comparison, UTAR’s dress code will seem petty.
We here at J-On have taken the liberty to introduce to you UTAR’s dress code, so that you won’t be inappropriately dressed, and won’t have to face the wrath of any passing UTAR officer who so happened has had a bad day.
For the ladies, here are a list of things that you shouldn’t wear while on campus grounds:-
As for the boys, there are only two things which are restricted, and they are:-
1.No short pants.
2.No slippers.
At a glance, the dress code may seem too much, especially for the ladies. However, if you think about it a little more, you will find that the university is actually trying to do us good. Don’t believe me? Allow me to clarify.
For example, low-cut tops for females may show off your bountiful assets, but wouldn’t that be an eyesore for the lecturers! As for guys – well, they might appreciate it, but the line between appreciating and leering is very, very thin.
If you haven’t already noticed, the buildings in UTAR are very, very open. No closed spaces whatsoever so you can easily look up and see whoever’s in the first or second floor above you. Not such a good idea for girls who wear short skirts now, would it? Short skirts may flatter the legs and look nice, but hey, we’re here in university to study anyway.
Another thing that we would like to warn you about is the “climate” in UTAR classrooms and lecture halls. When in stellar condition, the air conditioning is absolutely, terrifyingly, cold. Therefore, wearing short pants is not a very wise idea. So is wearing spaghetti strapped tops and slippers. Unless, of course, you’re planning on getting a frost bite because seriously, the classrooms and lecture halls in UTAR can be very cold. While we’re on the topic of cold classrooms, it’s advisable for you to bring jackets, cardigans, or shawls to class. It’s nicer to study when you’re comfortably warm, rather than freezing cold.
One last thing that we would like to remind UTAR students is to wear your student ID and lanyard at all times, when you are in the university grounds. Our university has implemented a rule whereby if you are caught not wearing your student tag more than three times, a fine of RM20 will be imposed on them. A complete student tag is your dark blue UTAR lanyard, together with your student ID.
With all that restriction, what can you actually wear to classes? A hunt on the university grounds led us to these few students who dressed appropriately, yet stylishly.
Final year Public Relations student Chen Pui Mun, 21, here is dressed in a casual t-shirt and jeans, complete with cute ballet flats. When asked about how UTAR students should dress, she commented that they should dress in a proper way, with the pants or skirts below the knee length.
Final year Advertising student Koh Weng Hong, 22, is dressed very smartly in t-shirt, jeans, and closed shoes, wrapped up in a snug blazer.
As you can see from the above, it’s really not that hard to abide by the dress code yet look stylish! Although UTAR is still not very strict with disciplinary actions in students who do not obey the dress code, students should still dress properly and abide by the dress code to respect themselves, as well as their lecturers.
All in all, this situation can only be summed up with what final year Communications & Networking student Chan Choong Yong, 20, said,
“The campus is a place to study and learn, not a place to party.”
Westlake Homes boasts that they provide “elegant home(s)”, but this is far from their tenants’ experience.
Here are some of the residents’ complains about the place.
Surin Kumar told J-on that his laptop and mobile phone were stolen when he was taking a nap in his room last year. Such cases are not uncommon and the intruder(s) have yet to be reportedly caught hitherto.
Surin also complained about extra charges being billed to him.
“I have been charged extra for facility damages supposedly done by me. I was charged RM350.00 although it was not even my fault,” he said.
He has already decided to move out from Westlake once his tenancy agreement with the management company (Danish House) expires.
Surin will be shifting out after the expiry of his tenancy agreement.
On another hand, Siew Nay Wen complained that there are cracks on the walls in her house. Again, this is a common problem faced by tenants in Westlake.
“There is even a hole in one of my friend’s room. It feels like the construction of the houses is fragile,” she added.
She also expressed fear for her safety.
“After hearing about the collapse of the new building behind the Oxford house, I’m now more concerned with our safety, and asked myself whether I am staying in a safe place,” she said.
Siew is worried about her safety while staying at Westlake.
Another resident, Kweh Shin Yee complained that too many are people staying in the house.
She lamented, “It’s sort of noisy and I can’t concentrate on doing things especially when I am doing my revision.”
Kweh was also dissatisfied with other service provided. “The Internet service is not sufficient to meet the residents’ needs because the ground and first floor’s residents (numbering about 9) have to share only one modem.”
Kweh thinks the house is noisy.
Like Kweh, Tan also complained about the Internet service at Westlake homes. She said, “Internet service is getting worse. Maintenance people do come and repair it, but it is out of service again after they leave.”
Tan also had problems getting the management to fix a door.
“The maintenance side explained that they could not fix up the door in the living room because it was a complicated process to fix it up!” she said.
The laundry service was another area which Tan was not happy about.
“When I took my clothes back from the laundry, many of them were damaged because of coloring.”
Tan lamented about the frequency and time of the service provided.
She said, “Sending the clothes to the laundry once a week is not enough. Because of that, I have to wash some of the clothes myself.
“I hope the time restricted for laundry service is not so stringent. Sometimes when I have class or is busy on that day, I may miss the ‘deadline” by a few minutes and the laundry people would refuse to accept my laundry.”
Tan: “Internet services getting worse.”
J-on has approached Danish House for further investigation. However, the management refused to provide any response regarding to the above issues.
With the aforementioned issues in the open, J-On hopes that the management company will continue improving the quality of the homes as well as their services.
Kampar, Mar 11 (J-on) – A Danish House residents bicycle was damaged when the front porch ceiling collapsed onto it.
The soaked ceiling collapsed onto Saw’s bicycle.
According to the owner of the bicycle Saw Sheau Min, the incident happened due to heavy rain where water had accumulated in the ceiling.
Saw Sheau Min, not the first victim
Saw’s housemate Hoo Yee Wen, 22, made a complaint to the person-in-charge of the complaint department at Danish Management Office a day after the incident occurred.
Hoo said that the officer told her that they would need to see the bicycle first.
Later, Saw personally met with the management who than gave her a RM 10 voucher for food and beverage at Grand Kampar Hotel as compensation.
The RM 10 voucher which was given by the Danish Houses Management to Saw.
“Danish management refused to pay for damages because according to them, they took the same action for previous cases as well,” said Saw.
She added that the management express their apologies and dubbed the incident as a natural disaster.
Action was not taken to fix the ceiling.
She said that the cost to repair her bicycle was RM 18 and the voucher given did not even cover up her fixing cost.
拉曼大学校长拿督蔡贤德教授希望学生能够掌握好英语，在竞争强烈的社会脱颖而出。
陈慧心表示这一学期的新生将近800位。
由于双亲在大马工作，所以林琼就连中学都在本地完成。
郑同学表示金宝的食物非常不错。
陈同学表示一切都还适应，但仍处于摸索阶段。
拉曼大学校长拿督蔡贤德教授希望学生能够掌握好英语，在竞争强烈的社会脱颖而出。
陈慧心表示这一学期的新生将近800位。
由于双亲在大马工作，所以林琼就连中学都在本地完成。
郑同学表示金宝的食物非常不错。
陈同学表示一切都还适应，但仍处于摸索阶段。
