Resigning UB president Dr Erik Rolland.
By LETRE SWEETING
Tribune Staff Reporter
lsweeting@tribunemedia.net
THE University of the Bahamas announced the surprise resignation of president Dr Erik Rolland yesterday, saying he will leave his position on June 30 for “personal, family reasons”.
After a lengthy, exhaustive process, Dr Rolland was named UB president in May 2022.
The university said Janyne Hodder, a permanent resident of The Bahamas for the past 40 years, will serve as acting president for the remainder of Dr Rolland’s contract, which expires in July 2025.
Ms Hodder was the president of the College of the Bahamas from July 2006 to June 2010.
In a statement, the university said: “A veteran educator and leader in higher education administration, Ms Hodder began her career as a teacher at Queen’s College and went on to teach at The Bahamas Teachers’ College, joining the College of The Bahamas faculty at its founding. She later served as principal and vice-chancellor of Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada and vice-principal at McGill University before returning as president of the former COB.
“We have advised the chair of the academic senate and the leaders of the bargaining units at UB, which represent all UB team members. We are grateful to our colleagues for their commitment to national and international accreditation to promote the university’s growth and development. The board is deeply grateful and thanks all administration, faculty, staff and students, as well as external stakeholders for their unwavering support of our national university.”
Daniel Thompson, president of the Union of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas, said Dr Rolland had an excellent relationship with UTEB.
He said following the departure that UTEB wants to ensure its industrial agreement negotiations go well and will conclude soon.
“We don’t select the president, but whoever succeeds as president, we must ensure that they succeed in what they do for the sake of national development and the job security, continuity and sustainability of our members,” he said.
In July 2021, UB announced that a presidential search committee appointed in November 2020 shortlisted Dr Rolland, Dr Ian Strachan and Sir Anthony Seldon for president. The university took months to announce its choice, sparking speculation that the board was anxious about how and when to reveal its non-Bahamian choice for the role.
UTEB advocated for Dr Strachan, the only non-Bahamian shortlisted, to get the position. It is not clear why he was not named acting president of the institution. He was appointed executive vice president effective April 1, 2022.
Comments
themessenger 1 year, 4 months ago
The poor man probably couldn't take the Black crab syndrome and obstructionism any longer, its hard to do your job when you're constantly being undermined.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 4 months ago
Exactly my thoughts
bahamianson 1 year, 4 months ago
You mean , the man walk of the job. He quit. He could see the writing on the wall. COB is just all other governmental agencys, it is a flop. You made it accessible to all Bahamians with a D average without holding students to an acceptable standard. You gave everyone a "participation award". That is udder rubbish. Just like parenting, you need to teach students that there is no free lunch in the world. They need to study in order to compete with the world. Close the place down.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 4 months ago
"UTEB advocated for Dr Strachan, the only non-Bahamian shortlisted, to get the position. It is not clear why he was not named acting president of the institution. He was appointed executive vice president effective April 1, 2022."
Its no secret. universities survive off of either alumni support or key connections to big money. That ingredient is what the university has been searching for and fallen short of since Dr Smith's tenure. Dr Rolland was selected for one reason outside of basic qualifying criteria, his said deep connections to Silicone Valley, i.e. big money. This isnt like most positions based just on ability to do the job it's also connections
trueBahamian 1 year, 4 months ago
Well, they won't get the money. So, back to square one. If Dr. Ian Strachan was shortlisted before and he is already there, why wasn't he made interim head until they sort out future leadership? I'm not saying that as a negative to Dr. Strachan. I'm just curious why they went with the lady who was no longer there and who ran the institution while it was a college (not a university). I'm not saying that as a negative to Mrs. Hodder.
It would be good to know why the President left. If there are issues that need to be addressed you can't bring in someone new, who isn't aware of these issues, and expect things to work. So, they ar the very least need to fix whatever issues are going on there, if there are issues. A professional usually doesn't take a job overseas and less than a year later resign citing personal issues. I'm not saying it's not possible, but it's highly unusual.
ThisIsOurs 1 year, 4 months ago
I wouldn't say they'll never get the money. Depends on who's asking and who's giving.
To your question, if they interviewed Dr Strachan and for whatever reason decided that he wasnt the right fit for the post, I suppose the thing they thought was not the right fit still exists. It would be doubly hard to appoint him as acting president then remove him to give the post to someone else
I think everybody suspects that Dr Holland left because it wasnt working.. maybe the staff was uncooperative maybe the beauracracy maybe union interference
TalRussell 1 year, 4 months ago
Fair to comment ask ---- were there a lot of higher education underhanded/back stabbings' stuff could've been going ons ----- Yes, even at Universities. ----- Why abruptly resign ----- or, afterall, wasn't a so abruptly written 'Letter of Resignation.' -No – Yes?
hpallas 1 year, 4 months ago
You all really believe he resigned? If so, I have a bridge to sell you.
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