The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

BELOW is an open letter to Dr Rodney Smith, in response to his communication of October 26, to the University Community.

Dear Dr Smith,

I trust that this letter finds you well. I have decided to pen this as a concerned alumni. I would be remiss if I didn’t respond to your email dated October 26th, 2021.

In your email to faculty, staff and the wider university community, you outlined some of the reasons why you are seeking an extension of your contract as President and CEO of UB.

Let me remind you, that under your leadership as President and CEO the University was given an average of $30m per year by way of government subvention for the period 2014 - 2020 (a total of over $200m), however for the same period, under your leadership, the institution has failed to produce audited financial statements.

Under your leadership as President and CEO enrollment has remained flat year over year for the same period 2014 - 2020. Similarly, graduation numbers have remained the same year over year with 2020 showing a decline.

During your presidency UB has experienced a loss in revenue streams (college prep) but at the same time has seen an increase in hiring and expenses year over year for the aforementioned period. Meanwhile, there has been no significant fund raising which is critical to the success of the institution. Additionally, there were significant project cost overruns in the millions of dollars specifically related to the Banner software implementation.

UB has not yet achieved SACS accreditation because the institution does not have some of the key requirements to make an application, one of the main requirements being audited financial statements.

Moreover, you were the champion of a board resolution which usurped the collective responsibility and authority of the board to the executive committee during the majority of the COVID-19 crises, a time when organisations all around the world looked to their boards to guide them through uncharted waters. The crafting of this resolution was diabolical in my opinion and goes against the very essence of shared governance, the foundation upon which the UB Act was drafted. The true ramifications of this decision have yet to be revealed.

Having said all that has been said above, how can you have the expectation that your contract should be extended by reasonable deliberations by a prudent jury of your peers concerned solely with national development and transparency. In my opinion you have failed the institution and by extension you have failed the people of The Bahamas.

I wish you well in all of your future endeavours and hope that you enjoy your retirement years.

RENO A W MILLER

Concerned Alumni

Nassau,

December 5, 2021.