The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

UNION of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas President Mark Humes said he is concerned that a proposed University of the Bahamas Bill will be approved by the College of the Bahamas’ College Council without some stakeholders having the opportunity to weigh in.

Once passed in Parliament, a University of the Bahamas Act would transition the college to a university, reduce the institution’s reliance on the government by establishing a board of trustees, and pave the way for the institution to be accredited by international organisations.

Mr Humes said COB’s College Council is set to meet today in a special meeting to address the legislation although there has been no “meaningful” consultation with stakeholders.

“The internal stakeholder groups are calling on the College of the Bahamas’ governing council to postpone this meeting and any further meetings on this proposed bill until the directives of the council chairman for wide and meaningful consultation with all stakeholders have been carried out by college administrators.

“Part IV, clause 45 of the Industrial Relations Act of the Bahamas says that consultation means ‘jointly examining and discussing problems of concern to both management and employees or their trade union representatives.’ Section 35 and 36 of the same part of the IRA says, ‘management and trade unions should co-operate in ensuring that effective communication and consultation take place so as to promote efficiency, understanding and the individual employee’s sense of satisfaction and involvement in his job.’ Therefore, in making this request, legally, nothing that we are asking is unreasonable or unprecedented.”

Mr Humes said at various times in the last decade, as the college has laid the foundation to transition to university, leaders have engaged in extensive consultation.

However, he said that under COB President Dr Smith, “the process strays away from engaging and getting input from internal stakeholders and the wider Bahamian community.”