The Tribune

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas President Dr Rodney Smith has stressed his commitment to the institution until the end of his contract in 2022.

“I will not abandon UB’s faculty, students and staff, as some have suggested,” Dr Smith said in a statement.

“Over the next two years, we will focus on surviving these difficult times together, rebuilding UB-North, and ensuring that UB has the right leader for the future, beginning in 2022.”

It has been previously reported that Dr Smith will not renew his contract at the university in August 2022 and has already started seeking other employment.

It was reported that Dr Smith, 67, had been shortlisted along with two other finalists to be West Virginia State University’s (WVSU) 12th president, however, he was not selected for the post. Dr Smith said he withdrew his candidacy before their decision.

Dr Smith, in his statement, said he should have informed UB’s board of trustees sooner about his plans. He explained he has started to seek employment elsewhere because he does not have a pension to rely on when he retires.