The plagiarizing President of the College of The Bahamas, Dr. Rodney Smith, was said to be resting comfortably in Florida after spending a few days in a Jacksonville hospital, college officials confirmed yesterday.
Dr. Smith was discharged from hospital over the weekend, according to COB’s Public Relations Department. However officials refused to comment any further on his illness.
Chairman of COB’s Council Frank “snake” Wilson also opted not to give any further information on the president except to say that he was sick and is now recovering.
Mr. Wilson added that the council continues to pray for the president’s speedy recovery. Last week, he told the Bahama Journal that Dr. Smith had actually spent a few days in hospital in New Providence before being transferred to a medical facility in Jacksonville.
Mr. Wilson also indicated during that time that the president’s illness was not life threatening.
Dr. Smith’s future with COB is uncertain as he confessed in June that he had used a portion of an Honours Convocation speech in an address that he gave without giving proper attribution to the President of New York University Dr. John Sexton.
Dr. Smith apologized for the mistake during a press conference, but the situation led to calls for his ouster because of plagiarism.
As a result of the president’s hospitalization, the recommendations by the five persons on the special review panel, which was formed to advise the college on the course of action it should take, have not been released.
Mr. Wilson confirmed that the Council had received the panel’s report but he stressed that it would be inappropriate to even give a hint of what the committee recommended.
In announcing the course of action the council would take earlier in June, Mr. Wilson noted that it would be irresponsible to take any action against Dr. Smith without due examination and reflection.
By: Bianca Symonette, The Bahama Journal
