UG Vice Chancellor on brink of packing up, as fate of lecturers hang in the balance.
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Saturday, 05 November 2011 14:39
The University of Guyana’s (UG) Vice Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Carrington- embroiled in a wrangle over a number of lecturers’ contracts- has signaled that he would not be interested in the job again after his contract ends next year.
Well-placed sources told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com ) that Carrington’s contract comes to an end on March 2012. He goes on three months leave from January 1 in keeping with his contract.
Demwaves.com was told that efforts were being made to persuade the Trinidad-born Carrington to renew his contract but a stormy meeting with several council members has, according to sources, forced him to change his mind. He, according to sources, felt humiliated and insulted by the council members.
He assumed duty in April 2009 and ever since has complained to the relevant authorities that the cash-strapped institution needs to be properly funded to attract and retain quality lecturers and improve the physical infrastructure of the campuses.
At the centre of the issue is the Vice Chancellor’s refusal to sack at least three lecturers on the grounds being claimed by several government-appointed council members that he had no authority to employ them.
They are Political Scientist, Freddie Kissoon; Geographer, Dr. Patrick Williams and Public Administrator, Lorris Bancroft. Demwaves.com was told that Carrington has refused to rescind the contracts because he was already told that he has no right to hire and fire persons.
The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) has noted that the Vice Chancellor is vested with the authority to perform such functions in the absence of a council.
The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) is the latest organisation to have expressed solidarity with the lecturers and warned that letting go of the lecturers would have dire consequences for the students.
UGSSA President, Patsy Francis said her organisation was “extremely dismayed” at a recent decision by the Appointments Committee to send to Council the already approved contracts for further consideration
“This decision has severe negative implications for all stakeholders and appear ill-advised,” she added.
Like the UGWU and University of Guyana Students Society, the senior staff association cautioned that students would be “seriously disadvantaged if a decision is taken to rescind these lecturers’ contracts as their classes have already commenced and in fact, more than half the semester has elapsed.”
Pointing to ethical issues being surfaced, the UGSSA noted that the lecturers have been already engaged in eaching, have been paid by the University and have a reasonable expectation that they will be employed for the current academic year.
“The academic staff at the University are aware that while this decision affects only a few lecturers, it has implications for us all. We are not prepared to countenance injustice,” Francis added.
The organisation said the decision to re-examine the contracts amounts to questioning the academic competence of departments. “Appointments Committee and the University Council do not have the capacity nor competence to instruct departments, either directly or indirectly,” she said.
The UGSSA urged the Council to act in the best interest of all stakeholder at the University of Guyana.
Written by Denis Scott Chabrol
Saturday, 05 November 2011 14:39
The University of Guyana’s (UG) Vice Chancellor, Professor Lawrence Carrington- embroiled in a wrangle over a number of lecturers’ contracts- has signaled that he would not be interested in the job again after his contract ends next year.
Well-placed sources told Demerara Waves Online News ( www.demwaves.com ) that Carrington’s contract comes to an end on March 2012. He goes on three months leave from January 1 in keeping with his contract.
Demwaves.com was told that efforts were being made to persuade the Trinidad-born Carrington to renew his contract but a stormy meeting with several council members has, according to sources, forced him to change his mind. He, according to sources, felt humiliated and insulted by the council members.
He assumed duty in April 2009 and ever since has complained to the relevant authorities that the cash-strapped institution needs to be properly funded to attract and retain quality lecturers and improve the physical infrastructure of the campuses.
At the centre of the issue is the Vice Chancellor’s refusal to sack at least three lecturers on the grounds being claimed by several government-appointed council members that he had no authority to employ them.
They are Political Scientist, Freddie Kissoon; Geographer, Dr. Patrick Williams and Public Administrator, Lorris Bancroft. Demwaves.com was told that Carrington has refused to rescind the contracts because he was already told that he has no right to hire and fire persons.
The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) has noted that the Vice Chancellor is vested with the authority to perform such functions in the absence of a council.
The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) is the latest organisation to have expressed solidarity with the lecturers and warned that letting go of the lecturers would have dire consequences for the students.
UGSSA President, Patsy Francis said her organisation was “extremely dismayed” at a recent decision by the Appointments Committee to send to Council the already approved contracts for further consideration
“This decision has severe negative implications for all stakeholders and appear ill-advised,” she added.
Like the UGWU and University of Guyana Students Society, the senior staff association cautioned that students would be “seriously disadvantaged if a decision is taken to rescind these lecturers’ contracts as their classes have already commenced and in fact, more than half the semester has elapsed.”
Pointing to ethical issues being surfaced, the UGSSA noted that the lecturers have been already engaged in eaching, have been paid by the University and have a reasonable expectation that they will be employed for the current academic year.
“The academic staff at the University are aware that while this decision affects only a few lecturers, it has implications for us all. We are not prepared to countenance injustice,” Francis added.
The organisation said the decision to re-examine the contracts amounts to questioning the academic competence of departments. “Appointments Committee and the University Council do not have the capacity nor competence to instruct departments, either directly or indirectly,” she said.
The UGSSA urged the Council to act in the best interest of all stakeholder at the University of Guyana.