In wake of hiked administrative fees...Students’ representative on UG Council raises concerns

In wake of hiked administrative fees…Students’ representative on UG Council raises concerns

Feb 13, 2018 News

UGSS President, Norwell Hinds

Although Cabinet could clear the way as soon as next week for the instalment of a new University of Guyana [UG] Council, recent concerns have surfaced regarding its composition.
Concerns in this regard have come to the fore in the wake of moves by the university to impose increased administrative fees, a decision which was made ahead of the dissolution of the Council in July of last year.
Although support was forthcoming by the previous University of Guyana Student Society [UGSS], which represents the UG student population, the current body has clearly stated its opposition to the increased fees. But the university has stated its unwillingness to appease the concerns of the UGSS.
Moreover, the UGSS, through its President, Mr. Norwell Hinds, has informed that plans are already in train to take the university to court to have the matter addressed.
Hinds is convinced that the UGSS has a solid case, since “We found that because the implementation was part of the budget for the year 2017, we felt that any fees such as the services fees could only be implemented in the budget year, and if the budget year had already expired, the fees could no longer be implemented now.”
According to information shared by the administration, the increase was imperative, since apart from tuition and facilities fees, there are other expenses associated with studying at the university.
The fees, the university explained, “cover a wide range of services, including fees for processing applications for degree, diploma and certificate programmes [adjusted from $500 to $1000], and late applications [adjusted from $2,000 to $3,000], late registration [adjusted from $10,000 to $12,000], supplemental examinations [adjusted from $1,500 to $5,000]. The cost of personal transcripts…[which has moved from $3,000 to $5,000],” the administration outlined.
It also noted that “some services were entirely free, and now attract a fee. Included here are the re-sit examinations, which now cost $6,000 and letters for students that are used for visa applications and other purposes; they now will attract a charge of $5,000.”
According to Hinds, unless the university decides to “totally recall” the decision to increase the fees, there will be no turning back from legal action.
But even if the university were to recall its decision, consideration will again have to be made at the level of the university council which is likely to be soon installed. However this publication was informed that the concerns relating to the council include how governance matters are dealt with at the university.
According to an official close to the university, “We have to look at what should be the role of the council and where do students make their representation…even if students’ concerns are heard, there might be other issues with the composition [of the council] itself.”
The official directed attention to the fact that on a Council of only one student representative, it must be noted that the decisions that the majority make, affect the interest of the students. “It is the students who are the ones who are impacted directly by the issues council decides on… The other [representatives] interests together are not as directly affected as the students themselves, but yet the students have one vote,” the official underscored.
The council as a governance body is made up of five Chancellor nominees; one nominee each from the UGSS, the Committee of Deans, UG workers’ unions, UG Academic Board, a representative of the lawyers’ association; a government representative; a women’s interest representative; an indigenous people affairs representative; a business interest representative; a representative of the Ministry of Finance; the Registrar, who is the Secretary of the Council, the Chancellor, Pro Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and political representatives.
At the most recent hosting of the post cabinet press briefing on Wednesday, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, said that Cabinet had entertained discussion on the subject of the University Council. But according to Harmon, there were some concerns which Cabinet has noted on the issue. He spoke of at least two concerns relating to the representation as it relates to the Women’s Interest and the Indigenous People’s Affairs on the Council. It is expected that the Minister of Education will address these concerns before they are taken up again at Cabinet in the new week.