FREEPORT, Grand Bahama – Faculty and staff at University of The Bahamas-North are concerned over unconfirmed speculation of a proposal to discontinue operations in Grand Bahama. This comes even as the university has accepted an insurance settlement claim for Hurricane Dorian damage of the northern campus in East Grand Bahama. There is speculation the university will be converted to a virtual campus, The Tribune reported on July 7 in an article written by Denise Maycock.
Staff are “disheartened” by the rumours and opposed to any possible closure of the campus, which is now temporarily relocated at a building complex in Freeport.
They find the proposition “disturbing” after being assured last year by UB President Dr Rodney Smith following his post-Dorian visit that the north campus would be rebuilt and returned to downtown Freeport.
The staff is calling for the university president and the board of trustees to address their concerns regarding the future of the northern campus.
A letter addressed to the president and board of trustees read: “This letter reflects the collective views of faculty and staff of the great UB-North. We are writing to you to reaffirm our commitment to quality tertiary education in the Northern Bahamas, which began over 40 years ago and to emphasise our dedication to increasing access to higher education throughout our archipelago, as is enshrined in the UB Act of 2016. But we are also writing to express our profound opposition to the alleged proposal to discontinue operations at the University of The Bahamas Northern Campus. We find this proposition to be short-sighted and most disturbing.”
Referring to a statement made by the UB president on July 5, staff indicated that there were subtle references to the issue. “Our small and close-knit community remains disheartened by these rumours, which, to date, have not been officially confirmed nor dispelled by the UB administration or the board of trustees.” See full Tribune article at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2020/jul/08/university-staffs-fears-over-grand-bahama-campus-f/
