THE UNIVERSITY of Guyana administration last evening expressed surprise at the petition by the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), which seeks to have the University Council replaced. The three parties launched the petition on March 10, 2012, and it was sent simultaneously to Minister of Education Priya Manickchand and the National Assembly.
It is petitioning, among other things, that the life of the current UG Council not be extended beyond March 31, 2012, and “that no non-academic council member be appointed to serve on the new council, and that the minister consult with civil society groups, through their representative organizations, such as the Bar Association and the Medical Council and appoint members, based on their recommendations”.
The petition also wants the new non-academic members appointed to be “distinguished, experienced, and principled individuals who will truly represent varying interest groups in the society”.
Speaking with this publication last evening, Acting Vice-chancellor Marlene Cox said that the petition took her by surprise, since the administration met with the senior staff, student body and the workers union on Wednesday, and a number of issues were discussed, and no mention was made of a petition.
Cox said in a statement that the Council of the University of Guyana is appointed on an annual basis by the Minister of Education, but its life can be extended and such extensions have in the past been on a quarterly basis.
She noted that the Council’s composition is focused on involving key stakeholders and interest groups and it must be noted that the identification of these persons involves a process of consultation with the relevant bodies.
The statement said, “With respect to the conditions on campus, the administration and university community have, for a number of years now, expressed concern about the state of its plant.  All parties acknowledge that there is a lot to be done, but all also know that the ability to execute is dependent on the funds available to execute same, the human resources, and that rehabilitation of the campus to the standard we all desire will take some time to effect, and in fact is a continual exercise.”