Dr. James Rose was re-appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana when the re-constituted council met on Wednesday to discuss the renewal of his contract but the constituting of the council is being challenged.
The University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), which was barred from the meeting is considering legal action and has since consulted its lawyers on the issue. The union is contending that the meeting was improper and illegal.
Stabroek News was informed that Dr. Rose’s re-appointment did not go to a vote or secret ballot since there was a split among council members present, the minority being in favour of re-appointment.
The division reportedly came after some members enquired whether Dr Rose had applied for the position and were informed that there was no application from him on file.
Freddie Kissoon, UGWU’s representative on the council who was barred from the meeting on Wednesday, told Stabroek News yesterday that after consulting with their attorneys, they received confirmation that the meeting was illegal given that the three statutory members of the council were not present – the University of Guyana Academic Board; the University of Guyana Student Society (UGSS) and the UGWU.
In addition, he said, other members of the 26-member council were not present since only 16 organisations were given invitations to attend the meeting. According to Kissoon, this can be interpreted as flouting of the rules and even raises the question as to whether the council acted properly in appointing Dr. Rose.
Kissoon said the union is requesting that the appointment be cancelled given that the council was not properly constituted; the meeting was illegal, and that Dr. Rose did not apply for the position.
Further, he questioned Dr. Prem Misir’s presence at the meeting since according to him Dr. Misir was up for re-election as Pro-Chancellor and was therefore not acting in that capacity on Wednes-day.
