Day 5—U of B and the zoo

Today we met with some key people from the University of Belize at their main campus in Belmopan.  The meeting organically enabled us to each share about our organizations.  They shared about things they are doing and issues they have.  We were able to further the UNCW connection there and contribute briefly some of the things we are doing as well as how we might be of assistance.

Their overall structure, services, and lingo are similar to mine from work so the visit was akin to other visits I have had with community college counterparts in North Carolina.  Some of the University of Belize’s needs are similar to mine at work:  that is, the need to update the student handbook and website and the trend of students shying away from seeing counselors and advisors as they self-register online.

We were able to share what many of the schools where we work in the U.S. are doing which is making sure students speak to their advisors before registering online.  This is done by requiring the use of a passcode which is obtained from the advisor after the meeting.

Another issue the U of B experiences is what they described as their biggest infraction:  students putting alcohol into other containers and consuming it on-campus before class.  A second problem they have encountered is the embezzlement of funds by student government presidents.  When I get back home, I plan to email them some of my ideas for addressing these which include getting the biggest offenders to change their ways so that the others will follow and getting, instructors, and administers all on-board with awareness and enforcement.

We were able to share about peer observations, faculty evaluations, and student evaluations of courses.  One thing they do not do is offer courses for no credit, as they view potential students as wanting to obtain credits for each course since it is through the university.

From when we spoke to Galen University representatives, the cost there was approximately 124 credits X BZE$450 per credit hour = BZE$55,800.  At U of B, it is approximately 120 credits X BZE$90 per credit hour plus BZE$400 per year of fees = $BZE$12,400 which is a difference of about BZE$43,400 in tuition over the four year period.  About 85% of the students who apply to the University of Belize are accepted as compared to all of the students who apply to Galen University.

We also visited the Belize Zoo which had two things that I liked:  (1) the naturalness of the foliage so that the cages were not tiny pens and (2) the signage which was very engaging to visitors, saying things like “if you want to keep your paws, don’t put them near the cage.”  I think the colloquial signage is effective because it draws people into the information.  Here are a few pictures from the zoo: 

Tapir or Mountain Cow at Belize Zoo.

 Tapirs in the wild can often get hit by cars.  To address this, speed bumps have been installed to slow cars down at places tapirs frequently cross.

Monkey in tree in Belize Zoo.

 It was interesting seeing the monkey hanging by his tail and later walking along the ground in an ambling gait with his hands and feet.

Toucan at Belize Zoo.