University of Guyana (UG) Dean Al Creighton has observed that while the affairs of the institution are matters of public interest, some issues are private, particularly matters which are before the UG Council.
Since the release of a statement from the university that confidential documents were leaked to the press, observers have questioned whether administrators should keep private the issue of funding, particularly if there are serious concerns regarding government interest in the institution.
Vice-Chancellor Lawrence Carrington recently submitted a report to the council in which he bemoaned the lack of government support for the institution, while pointing out that the financial situation at the campus was dire. He said too that Guyana cannot afford to continue neglecting the needs of its university.
But Education Minister Shaik Baksh fired back that government had called for a review of the UG’s strategic plan, which he said is tied to any increased funding for the institution. Baksh said too that government is committed to improving the university but Cabinet raised concerns about certain aspects of the plan.
Subsequent to the minister’s statement, UG Registrar Vincent Alexander issued a press release saying confidential documents on the institution’s financial situation were leaked to the press. He said the documents were not intended to be in the public domain.
Alexander made no specific mention of what documents were leaked. “No official of the University of Guyana has been responsible for disclosure to the media of any aspect of the documents to which reference has been made,” Alexander, however, said. “Any deductions drawn from these documents and items are purely speculative and do not represent decisions of the council of the university or of the administration of the university,” the statement added.
Creighton, Dean of the School of Education and Humanities told Stabroek News on Thursday that the university, like any other institution whether public or private will have some matters which are confidential, adding that in UG’s case, matters of council are confidential.
Creighton said sensitive issues often come up before the council, in addition to matters which members would speak freely on without fear of having the information shared outside that forum. On the issue of the Vice-Chancellor’s report, he said Professor Carrington was speaking openly to the council and not to the public.
“I believe that if the Vice-Chancellor were to speak on the issue to the public he would [certainly] tell the truth, but he would say it differently,” Creighton said. He reiterated that the statements in the report were meant for the council only.
Further, Creighton commented that he cannot fault the press for taking an interest in matters concerning the university, particularly its financial affairs.
President of the University of Guyana Student Society, Collin Constantine shares Creighton’s views. He told this newspaper that matters of the council ought to remain private despite the fact that UG is a public institution. “If the Vice-Chancellor wanted to share this information he would hold a press conference,” he added.
Carrington’s report said the university’s continuing deficit and its impact on its cash flow is sufficient basis for an increase in the 2011 subvention; the university is now requesting that an additional sum of $250 million be the minimum consideration by the Finance Ministry.
UG’s proposed strategic plan 2009-2012 was approved by the university council in 2009 and Baksh said it had been the subject of a lot of discussions, both at the ministry and cabinet levels.
He said after cabinet did not accept the plan in its entirety, UG was given the opportunity to conduct a revision of the plan with a view to incorporating the concerns that were expressed. Some 19 concerns were cited and pointed out to the administration at UG but to date there have been no amendments.
