Students and staff at The College of The Bahamas (COB) rallied yesterday to voice their complaint that they were not involved in the selection of a new presidential candidate.
During a midday rally in Rawson Square, nearly 100 COB students and Union of Tertiary Educators in The Bahamas (UTEB) members voiced their objections to the decision to introduce Canadian Janyne Hodder, as a third presidential candidate. The position became available after former COB President Dr Rodney Smith quit when he was caught up in a plagiarism scandal. Since then, only two candidates, Dr Pandora Johnson and Dr Rhonda Chipman-Johnson were identified. “We at COBUS don’t have a personal vendetta with Ms Janyne Hodder,” said College of The Bahamas Union of Students (COBUS) President, Quinton Light-bourne. “We have a problem with the way she was brought in and presented to the Bahamian people and students.
“I feel that if she was brought in a respectful manner, she would have probably been the next COB president,” he continued. “But there is a way, a procedure and a process that they must [adhere to] to ensure the future and vision of the COB.”
Mr Lightbourne claimed that the presidential process should include the input of COBUS and the faculty, which he alleged was not done. He added that the college’s students and faculty hoped that yesterday’s protests would get the attention of the College Council.
“The support of the students so far, is a clear indication of how the students feel on the matter,” said Mr Lightbourne. “We as the student body have electively come together to demonstrate, so that our voices can be heard.
“We are expecting a change to happen and we are expecting it will only make COB better,” he continued. “We must stand together as one, not just as Bahamians but as youth and the future leaders.”
Meanwhile Minister of Education Science and Technology, Alfred Sears, addressed the large crowd of angry COB students and staff, as he exited the House of Assembly.
By: JASMIN BONIMY, The Nassau Guardian
