Who can I approach if I need to have a grade for a module reviewed?

The requirements for courses and modules vary greatly across the faculties. As such, it is recommended that you first approach the respective Dean’s Office (DO) or department of the faculty that your module is run by.

In addition, you may also wish to raise your concerns to your own faculty’s DO if the module you are taking is not run by your home faculty.

Alternatively, if your problem has not been addressed satisfactorily, you may want to contact the NUS Registrar’s Office (RO). The RO is in charge of the entire University’s academic matters, including timetabling, module enrolment, examination administration and issuing of official academic transcripts. The RO’s sitemap is found here: http://www.nus.edu.sg/registrar/sitemap.html.

So for example, a FASS student taking a biology module taught by the Science faculty’s Biology department can first approach the Biology department or the Science faculty’s DO. He may also seek help from his home faculty of FASS. If the matter is still not settled satisfactorily, he may also choose to bring the issue up to the NUS RO.

How to I book a space to organise a bazaar in NUS?

The Office of Student of Affairs (OSA) is in charge of the booking of spaces within NUS. You can only book an open space, like the Central Forum or Science Foyer, for events (e.g. bazaars) or publicity purposes, if you are doing it on behalf of a faculty club, society or NUSSU standing committee. Individuals are not able to book spaces on their own.

To book an open space, log on to the online booking facility (https://inetapps.nus.edu.sg/prjvfp/frm_OFB_Login.asp). The user ID and password required to log into this facility has been made available only the organization presidents /chairpersons.

Under OSA’s regulations, you also have to submit a project proposal to OSA within ten working days from the day you submit your booking request. Only when OSA approves of the project would the open space booking be approved.

To open a stall within the bazaar, you would have to approach the organizers of the bazaar. There is no requirement to go through OSA or NUSSU for this.

How to I book a space to organise a bazaar in NUS?

The Office of Student of Affairs (OSA) is in charge of the booking of spaces within NUS. You can only book an open space, like the Central Forum or Science Foyer, for events (e.g. bazaars) or publicity purposes, if you are doing it on behalf of a faculty club, society or NUSSU standing committee. Individuals are not able to book spaces on their own.

Why is NUS a smoke-free campus?

In August 1997, the National Environment Agency (NEA) included all universities to the list of places where smoking is prohibited. Since then, the NEA has been expanding this list to include many other locations. In fact, from 1 January 2009, smoking will be banned in virtually all indoor public places, regardless if the place is air-conditioned or not. In line with the NEA’s endeavour to discourage smoking, especially among the youth, NUS has declared the entire campus smoke-free since 1998.

However, besides the point that smoking in universities is against the law, there are many other good reasons why NUS still continues to be a smoke-free campus till today.

Everyone has probably heard that smoking is extremely detrimental to both the smoker and passive smoker’s health. Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer in Singapore, and is closely associated with numerous other diseases including heart attack, stroke and infertility. Passive smokers are exposed to the same, if not higher, risks as smokers when they inhale second-hand smoke. Smoking and passive smoking are recognized health hazards that can be eliminated with the cooperation of all NUS students and staff.

Other reasons why it is a good idea for NUS to stay smoke-free:

• Air pollution contributed by cigarette smoke is decreased.
• Fire hazards posed by careless disposal of cigarette butts are reduced.
• Without cigarette butts, we are one step closer towards a litter-free environment.

Some may have the view that in a tertiary institution such as NUS, whose students are old enough to protect the nation at a moment’s notice, such “draconian” rules are unnecessary and may show the amount of distrust the university has towards its students.

However, it is probably because the University’s administration trusts its students to act responsibly and rationally enough that this policy is enforced primarily by social conscience. Fellow students who are inconvenienced by second-hand smoke report offenders to Campus Security. Smokers are trusted to be responsible and considerate in the company of non-smokers.

Without NUS’ commitment to a smoke-free policy, it would be even more difficult to maintain a truly healthy and clean environment for everyone to live, play and study in.

Why are there no designated outdoor smoking points on campus?

In accordance with NEA policies, the University declared the entire campus smoke-free in 1998. Due to this total commitment to the maintenance of a smoke-free environment and support for Singapore’s National Smoking Control Programme (NSCP), there are no designated smoking areas specially marked out for smokers on campus. The University wishes to send a clear message that smoking is strongly discouraged anywhere on campus. Through this course of action, NUS hopes to deter smokers from lighting up and further advocate Singapore’s smoke-free, quit smoking campaign. Let us work together to keep NUS a clean and healthy environment for all.