The University of Guyana (UG) has submitted a supplementary budget request to government to underwrite critical maintenance, health and safety, and instructional needs, even as the new Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Griffith has begun to undertake a number of initiatives to improve the institution.
“…efforts have begun for us to expand our revenue base, through entrepreneurial activities, fees, and philanthropy. At the same time, we shall explore expenditure controls in relation to our spending on utilities and other areas,” Griffith said in a letter sent to colleagues. During the budget presentation, the proposed allocation to UG was placed at $3.2 billion with an additional $500 million in subvention.
The letter dated July 25th was seen by Stabroek News and in it, Griffith detailed some of the actions taken since a Town Hall meeting on June 17.
“Several of the matters raised at that meeting have been addressed. However, as you know and as I explained at the session, many of the issues are not amendable to quick fixes. Be assured, though, that they are on my radar screen,” the Vice-Chancellor said even as he provided a status report on some of the follow-up actions taken and others undertaken or put in motion since that meeting.
He highlighted the increase in salaries to some employees as well as the increase in allowances.
“Not only did I seek and gain approval of the Finance and General Purposes Committee to settle several outstanding matters related to salaries and benefits, but payment has already been made, in the salaries for the month of July. The relevant items are:
- A 23% salary increase to the nine (9) employees who were labeled as being paid at “market rate” and whose salary increases were placed on hold;
- An increase in the traveling allowance of UA employees to $17,000 per month for all those UA employees who were receiving less than $17,000 per month;
- An increase in the traveling allowance to UB employees by 90% per month;
- An increase in the uniform allowance to $10,000 per year for all UB employees to assist with the sewing of uniforms. (I am aware that many employees who receive uniform allowances do not wear their uniforms. If the allowances are being paid my expectation is that uniforms will be produced and worn. Consistently not wearing them might suggest that they may—and the allowances—might no longer be needed)”, the correspondence said.
Among other initiatives are a University Song competition and a monthly electronic newsletter. Further, beginning August, there will be monthly meetings with the executives of the University of Guyana Students Society and the staff unions as well as periodic Town Hall meetings with one scheduled to be held in October.
In noting the request for the supplementary budget provision, Griffith highlighted the hosting of the first Education Resource Ambassadors Conference in June which examined the condition of the university and how to help the rebuilding needed.
Towards the ending of June, a conference of local and diaspora stakeholders of UG had called on government to provide emergency funding to the institution to reverse its “imminent collapse.” Contending that the university had been woefully underfunded in the part, the recital to the resolution said that the Education Resource Ambassadors visited the Turkeyen and Tain Campuses and were “dismayed and deeply troubled at the degradation and neglect of the institution.”
For years there have been complaints about the state of the campuses and demands by students and lecturers for major changes. There were several strikes and other protests over this. The call will likely test the Granger administration’s declaration of intent to aid the university particularly since its two budgets thus far have not provided larger than normal subventions.
Griffith, in his letter, pointed out that the conference raised over $15 million in actual donations and pledges.
Meantime, the Vice-Chancellor said that as regards food services, several options are currently being considered including hosting several new vendors to ensure the availability of a wider variety of food offerings at competitive prices. He also said that the university is preparing its budget submission to the government. “Be assured that salary increases, health and safety issues, and capital works are foremost among our considerations. You will appreciate also that I expect us to hold high the banners of respect, efficiency and integrity as we serve our students and our various other constituencies,” he said.
“As you know, some issues require long term solutions, and some entail engagement of the unions and the government. Included here are policies and practices related to establishment, workload, performance evaluation, and promotion,” he said.
The UG official also pointed to the “complicated” matter of internet service within Departments and Faculties. “This matter is complicated. For instance, there are fifty-two (52) internet connections on the Turkeyen Campus. However, we continue to work with the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) to address the malfunctioning or non-functioning of some of those connections,” he said.
