A Disorganized Charitable Effort: Disappointment Overshadows UTECH’s Tag Drive 2024/5
The much-anticipated Tag Drive, expected to be a day filled with fun, excitement, and storytelling through the lenses of journalism students, turned into an ordeal of frustration and chaos. Despite being an annual event, the level of disorganization displayed by the Student Union was unprecedented.
Tag Drive – a fundraising initiative introduced by the UTech, Ja Students’ Union Council (USU) in 1965 is a yearly event that seeks to raise funds for various non-profit organizations. Eyeing the profit of 1M Jamaican Dollars, the week-long activities were concluded on Saturday November 23, 2024 with Sophie’s Place, Jamaica Down Syndrome Foundation and Ebenezer Rehabilitation Center set to benefit from this year’s proceedings.
The event’s call time was set for 7a.m, with an expected departure at 9a.m. However, it wasn’t until 11a.m that some of the buses finally left the school to follow their designated routes. This significant delay set the tone for a day marred by recklessness and a lack of coordination as some routes were changed on a whim because of the late start time amongst many other issues.
Promises Unfulfilled
While the initiative’s intentions were commendable, the execution fell short, leaving members of the Journalism Society of UTech (UJS), a designated media partner, grappling with frustration and disappointment. USU sought partnership under the guise that breakfast would be provided for the team, proper credits would be given to photographers and videographers and persons’ safety would not be compromised. All of which were not met. This oversight set the tone for what many described as a poorly planned event.
Confusion and Poor Communication
Students and media personnel alike found themselves in a logistical nightmare. Basic logistics seemed to be an afterthought, with a misguided timeline or coordination of activities. Media representatives were left with uncertainty, as it wasn’t until the buses arrived after 10 am that some were assigned routes.
“We came prepared to contribute as media practitioners, but the disorganization was glaring,” shared Ja-Donne Gray, a UJS member and photographer. “This toe nah buck again!”
Additionally, updates were scarce, leaving UJS members unsure of the next steps. Attempts to seek clarification were often met with vague or dismissive responses from the relevant persons.
The team was tasked with capturing the essence of the event, however the disarray made their job unnecessarily frustrating. Despite providing high-quality coverage, the UJS photographers were not credited as promised, with most of their work not being published —an oversight that further demoralized the group and concerns ignored by the USU’s public relations committee.
Pointing to the Union’s disregard for the UJS team’s efforts, Eden Palmer, UJS’s President and a photographer for the event, expressed the team’s frustration, “Our efforts feel futile. We worked assiduously on our routes to get coverage, only for the photos not to be published.”
“The Students’ Union could have given the UJS team more autonomy to oversee and assist their team with content selection and editing. UJS specializes in media, this could have significantly improved the outcome” another UJS member exclaimed.
Safety Concerns
As buses departed for their designated routes, safety quickly became a pressing concern for some students. Reckless driving was reported on numerous occasions on separate routes. One student expressed “A pure careless driving a gwaan enuh and the bus monitor dem a gwaan like them mouth join church,” marveling at the nonchalance of the the bus monitors, who were representatives of the Students’ Union.
One shocking incident involved a bus operator precariously hanging out of a bus window, further underscoring the absence of proper supervision. Other routes also reported operators hanging from the bus doors. The challenges in the experience persisted until the end of the day. During a pit stop at Drax Hall, drivers, frustrated by delays, even threatened to leave students behind before continuing to the final stop in Trelawny.
The Bittersweet Taste of Success
Despite these issues, it remains uncertain whether the fundraising goal of one million dollars was achieved. However, this potential success feels bittersweet for many, as their hard work was overshadowed by logistical mayhem and insufficient support. The lingering question for many participants, especially UJS members, remains: Was the price of a million dollars worth the frustration, neglect, and safety risks endured?
What was supposed to be a charitable and enjoyable experience turned into a testament to poor planning and lack of accountability. The safety risks, mismanagement, and broken promises have left a sour taste in the mouths of those who participated, highlighting the urgent need for better organization and oversight in future events.
Call to Action
While Tag Drive highlighted significant flaws in the event’s management, it also underscored the resilience and dedication of UJS members, who persevered despite the odds. The experience has prompted UJS to advocate for better collaboration practices, clearer expectations, and mutual respect in future partnerships.
Moving forward, it is essential for campus entities to recognize the value of professionalism, proper planning, and communication. The Students’ Union must take these lessons to heart, ensuring that their future events reflect the same level of care and commitment expected of their partners. Only then can they truly create a united and impactful campus community.
Reported by: Kishana Webb, Shanise Gordon, Keiba Gordon and Ardrene Edwards.