…lecturers, students demand financial report

By Zena Henry
STAKEHOLDERS of the country’s premier tertiary education facility are patiently awaiting a financial report to provide clarification on what some are calling a financially-extravagant promotional and fundraising trip to the Unites States on behalf of the University of Guyana by a team led by its Vice- Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith.The Guyana Chronicle was able to confirm that the VC and his team had gone to North America to promote and expose UG some weeks ago. The idea was to provide linkages between UG and universities in the United States in a bid to identify the needs of the local institution, while creating a partnership that would allow the university’s growth and advancement. However, staffers, students, as well as some senior personnel at the Turkeyen-based institution have expressed dissatisfaction over the funding of the trip.

It is alleged that about 14 staffers were taken on the promotional trip, costing the institution more than US$30,000. Sources claim however that as little as US$8,000 was collected as part of the trip’s fundraising aspect. “This has added to the initial cost concerns and vindicated those who would have voted against this trip,” a senior official at UG told the Guyana Chronicle.

A member of the university’s financial department confirmed that a large amount of money was expended on the trip, with meagre funds being returned. The source refused to give the exact figures utilised but noted that the situation has sparked negative reactions. It was mentioned that “several thousands (in) US was spent.”

A senior member of the University of Guyana’s Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), who spoke under anonymity, also confirmed the brewing matter at the university. “Yes, I am aware that there has been some expression of discomfort,” relating to this issue, the union staffer said. She however refused to delve into the matter since a financial report on the trip is expected from the VC and prefers to wait until that is handed over. “We were told that a report will be made available shortly. I don’t know what exactly shortly means, but I assume that will be in a matter of weeks.”

The union member noted however, that she is not too concerned about the financing of the trip since her information is that a significant amount of the trip had been sponsored. It was noted also that the trip was not exactly meant to recover money since it was basically to seek various forms of support and partnerships with the American universities that were visited. The union member has nonetheless reserved further comments until the report is produced.

Back in September Professor Griffith had hailed the US trip as a success. He told a news conference that the visit was in response to an invitation from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc (GCA) to “fund and friend-raise” at the association’s 2016 Labour Day Weekend events. “Part of the value-added of that meeting is not only how much cash we brought back then. It is what we are setting the stage to bring back, cash, equipment, talent and technical assistance,” he reasoned. He had acknowledged that the expense for the trip was funded entirely by UG. He had committed to providing a full financial statement. “We will produce in about a week or so, a full financial statement. Part of why we cannot do it at this stage are two reasons: all the receipts and accounting at the New York end are not done and we have some of the income [that] will be from the selling of newsletters and UG T-shirts,” he said, adding that he wants a “comprehensive report,” Griffith said at the news conference on September 15.

Registrar of UG, Dr Nigel Gravesande, also said the event was a “successful engagement,” noting that there were fruitful discussions with colleges that UG is trying to partner with. Dr Gravesande pointed out that there is a growing recognition that UG must be a national strategic asset. As such, he noted that this asset has to be recognised in and out of Guyana, which underscored the need for such an engagement beyond the shores of Guyana. “Our engagements with the diaspora were very instructive,” the registrar said, explaining that the engagements varied in nature.

Only recently the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) of the university endorsed the Vice Chancellor’s “bold and all-time-high budget request to the Government of Guyana of $5.2 billion for financial year 2017.” In a statement UG had said that it needs $3.0 billion for recurrent expenditure and $2.2 billion for capital works.

“The priorities of the administration focused on increased salaries for academic and non-academic staff, the provision of basic supplies and facilities that have been undermining efficiency and morale for years, campus security, and improving several of the facilities that negatively impact health and safety, as well as security,” the statement said.

The new buildings proposed by the Griffith administration include a new library and an academic complex to house the Business School, the Center for Teaching and Learning, the School of Graduate Studies and Research, and the Office of Undergraduate Research.

The matter involving the America trip has gained traction following the university’s recent announcement that it was increasing tuition fees. Students protested the increase and argued that the administration did not speak with them over the increase. The UG administration has since decided to delay the implementation of the increase.