THE University of Guyana’s Council on Thursday ordered Vice-Chancellor (VC), Professor Ivelaw Griffith to proceed on leave, effective May 28, 2019.
According to a release from the university, the decision was made at a special meeting for the Vice-Chancellor (VC) to proceed on terminal leave in accordance with the terms and conditions of his contract.

In the interim, the Council has directed that Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Engagement), Professor Michael Scott, will perform the functions of Vice-Chancellor (acting) for the period May 28, 2019 to June 13, 2019.
The University of Guyana Workers Union [UGWU] and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association [UGSSA] have recently intensified their calls for the ouster of Professor Griffith.
The unions at the university have been at odds with the VC.

University of Guyana Staff Senior Staff Association (UGGSSA) President, Dr. Jewel Thomas said at a recent press conference that the VC is the highest paid in the University’s history, and that he expects the institution to pay for his “high-maintenance” lifestyle.
“He gets a gratuity; a bonus. He had even requested a credit card when he became VC, and the university pays for whatever is on the card. We also know that his salary is higher than any other VC, and he also only travels business class, which is paid by UG. He will tell you he gets free trips; ask him how many occasions were free,” Dr Thomas said.
“He also requested an increase in allowances in accordance with ministerial levels; Minister of the Government… The Pro-Chancellor has refused to tell us what is in the VC’s contract,” she added.

Professor Griffith himself recently cleared the air on what he describes as “egregious misinformation” being reported about his administration of the tertiary institution. He had tied those ‘attacks’ to efforts by some to scuttle his chances of getting a renewal of his contract.

Recently, the Ministry of Education notified the Vice-Chancellor’s office of the unions’ request for a forensic audit into the university’s spending. This request came after the unions had staged peaceful picketing exercises for weeks against what they deemed the ‘misappropriation’ of UG funds. Though the VC indicated to this newspaper that all spending was in keeping with his drive to transform the university, he expressed that the administration is willing to have its financial position examined by any competent and independent arbiter.