UG unions welcome former Vice Chancellor’s contract withdrawal

…presses for management and financial audits

The University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) welcomed the decision made by former Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith to withdraw his request to renew his contract. His contract officially ended on June 13, 2019.

The Unions, in a joint release to the media, stated that Professor Griffith’s decision will spare the educational facility “from enduring further months of instability and turmoil”.
This, the Union noted, will enable the institution to embark on a period of healing and rebuilding which will be for the benefit of all, especially for the staff and students.
However, while applauding the decision, the representing bodies pressed for not only a management audit, which is expected to be carried out for on the University of Guyana, but also called for a financial audit.
“While the UG Unions support the Council’s decision to have a management audit, we also insist on a financial audit. There are extremely important questions that need to be answered as the University moves to do essential institutional strengthening. We believe that both audits are the best ways to answer these questions” the Unions wrote.
Further, the Unions are making calls for the staff of the facility to be regularly evaluated in order to upkeep the standard of the institution while also insisting on the reapplication of transparent hiring procedures that were reportedly violated over the past three years and the reapplication of salary and remuneration in conformity with UG’s Act and Statutes.
“All staff except those appointed by the University Council must fall within UG’s salary bands. The practice of selected and favoured individuals being offered super salaried packages must cease” the Union heads demanded.
On Friday last, Professor Griffith withdrew his request for the renewal of his contract following pressure from the Unions. It was reported that the University of Guyana Council convened to make a determination on the matter of the renewal or non-renewal of Griffith’s contract but during the correspondence, it was indicated that he no longer wanted his contract to be renewed.
As such, a Transitional Management Team was installed by the University’s Council, to take control of the management of the University with effect from June 14, 2019, until such time that a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed.
In early May, Presidents of the University’s Unions, Bruce Haynes and Dr Jewel Thomas, had not only called for Professor Griffith’s removal but also for the resignation of the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Joe Singh, contending that both had produced dismal performances.
Both Griffith and Singh were being accused of major malpractices which have reportedly severely affected the University.
The Unions’ Presidents had noted that the University of Guyana cannot afford the Vice-Chancellor, who had been demanding hefty sums to finance his “expensive habits”. He reportedly had the backing of the Pro-Chancellor.
According to UGWU, under the leadership of the VC and Pro-Chancellor, the University of Guyana has deteriorated significantly. However, the Unions are now hopeful for betterment in the coming new semester.
“We look forward to fruitful and rewarding engagement and partnership with the Transitional Management Team to improve the conditions across the University in time for the new academic year”.