The University of the Southern Caribbean (USC) is a private university owned and operated by the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The main campus is located on of land in the Maracas Valley on the island of Trinidad of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. There are also six satellite extension campuses located in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago; San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago; Georgetown, Guyana; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda. One other satellite campus is in the planning for St. George's, Grenada.
The University offers courses to foster values-based education. The curriculum not only focuses on the academic, but has a holistic emphasis—an education that attends to the mind, soul, and body.
It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, the world's second largest Christian school system.
History
The University of the Southern Caribbean was founded in 1927 as East Caribbean Training School, for the purpose of educating the youth of the Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Two years later, it became Caribbean Training College. In 1945 the college developed a college preparatory instructional programme and in 1947, Caribbean Training College was official declared a junior college, offering two-year post-secondary certificates in theology, teacher training, and business and secretarial science. In 1956, Caribbean Training College changed its name to Caribbean Union College.
In September 1970, an academic extension was added at the University of the Southern Caribbean. The two-year junior college programme in theology was extended to a four-year programme, leading to the Bachelor of Theology degree. Subsequent changes included the conferring since 1985, of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, and associate degrees in a wide range of disciplines in affiliation with Andrews University.
USC continues to make significant improvements in faculty, staff, instructional programmes, equipment, and facilities. The library, the academic centre of the University, had its space doubled when the former chapel was converted into additional library space. New features in the library include an audio-visual room, a juvenile reading room, discussion and conference rooms, and a computerized system. The current holdings total approximately 40,000 volumes, besides microfiche, and bound and unbound periodicals. The library has a growth rate of one thousand volumes a year. Study and research are indeed paramount in the institution. There are over 4,000 books, mostly references, in the Simmons’s Collection.
The Science Building accommodates the sciences, computer science and home economics. Other buildings include the Administrative/Press Building, which houses administrative, instructional, and other functions; the ladies worship room, the elementary school, and secondary school, the technology building, the three story 'New Building'(as is named) and new prefab buildings. The former Press Building accommodates the executive offices, and some classrooms and computer instruction facilities.
Campus
The University main campus is located on of land. It is located about 3 kilometers away from Trinidad’s first town, St. Joseph and just 16 kilometers north-east of Port of Spain, the capital city.
The ambience of the university campus is often described as friendly and good for a relaxed education. The university provides various facilities for students such as: mini-market, health center, computer labs, cafes and an array of sporting facilities such as lawn tennis, basketball, volleyball, football, cricket and gym facilities.
Organization and administration
University Administration
Colwick Wilson, President
Wanda Chesney, Associate Provost
Emily Francois-Mark, VP for Financial Administration (Ag.) Onesi La Fleur, VP for Student Development and Services Terry John, VP for Spiritual Development/Church Pastor
Academics
USC espouses the philosophy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It teaches that true education is the harmonious development of the head, the heart, and the hand. Excellence in teaching, scholarship, research activities, educational innovations, and dedication to the principles of Christian education rank high within the value system of the institution. USC views truth as coming from God, as an expression of the nature of God, and the Bible, as a divine frame of reference which encompasses all truth.