Former Minister of Education Dion Foulkes on Thursday joined a growing call for the resignation of College of The Bahamas President Dr. Rodney Smith, who last week admitted that he neglected to provide attribution for a portion of a speech he made during one of the college’s recent commencement-related activities.
Mr. Foulkes said in a statement that the resignation would maintain and advance the good name of the college.
“Dr. Smith has admitted committing a gross breach of the rules governing the writing of speeches and papers in educational institutions. By using another person’s words without giving the required credit to that person, Dr. Smith committed plagiarism, and infringed on the moral right of the author,” the statement said.
It added, “In Dr. Smith’s speech, about 30 percent of the material was taken directly from the installation address of John Sexton as president of New York University on September 26, 2002 without acknowledgement or reference to the author.
“This is a very serious matter which if not dealt with expeditiously and correctly will negatively affect the excellent reputation of COB. Dr. Smith’s action sets a bad example for all young people, particularly students.”
The former Minister of Education said the exemplary work done by former principals, Dr. John Knowles, Dr. Kazim Bacchus, Dr. Jacob Bynoe and former Presidents Dr. Keva Bethel and Dr. Leon Higgs to establish COB as the premier institution of higher learning in The Bahamas and the current initiative toward university status could all be compromised by actions of the current president.
He claimed that this incident is also likely to negatively impact the funding program at COB.
“COB has a lot of potential and plays a critical role in the development of The Bahamas. Both the FNM and the PLP governments have made COB a top priority in terms of funding and general support,” Mr. Foulkes said.
“I recommend that Dr. Keva Bethel, Dr. Leon Higgs and a senior official from the Ministry of Education form a temporary leadership team for COB until a new president is identified.”
Mr. Foulkes’ statement came one day after the FNM Action Group issued a similar statement calling for the resignation of the COB president.
But Dr. Smith is receiving public support from some persons.
In a letter to the editor released on Thursday, Telcine Turner Rolle said that Dr. Smith should be given a second chance since he admitted his failing and apologized for it.
“I also agree with Bishop Simeon Hall that something evil lies buriedï¾ beneath the surface of COB (my words), and cry shame on those cowards in academia who choose to remain ‘anonymous’ when they spew their venom in public,” she said.
“One would have thought that this indiscretion, like that in the courts involving Professor
Felix Bethel, would have first been raised within the bounds of the College. I also think Professor Bethel should get his job back, with full pay for his sufferings. I can’t help feeling that whenever we try to ruin others, we ruin ourselves. Furthermore, as The Good Book says, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.”
Mr. Bethel recently won a case before the courts concerning an altercation he reportedly had with a senior official at the college. Earlier in the week, he said Dr. Smith should step down.
From: The Bahama Journal
