The recommendation comes amid criticism that the selection process for the top post is flawed and follows reports that Mrs. Hodder had withdrawn her name after her candidacy sparked protests from some faculty and staff.
Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, president of the Union of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas [UTEB], told The Bahama Journal last night that she understood the council had forwarded the recommendation to Cabinet, but said she was disappointed with the move.
“We are quite disappointed and very dismayed that such a recommendation was made, despite the fact that staff and faculty, and students at one point, voiced their displeasure at the process and procedure with bringing Mrs. Hodder here,” said Mrs. Isaacs-Dotson.
The union leader said UTEB had not been consulted on the recommendation and stood firm on its position that the Council did not follow the proper process and procedure.
“We feel that the proper process and procedure were not followed- but Mrs. Hodder has to work with all of us,” said Mrs. Isaacs-Dotson.
According to Mrs. Isaacs-Dotson, “no such recommendation was approved at the Council to be sent forward to the Cabinet.”
“So I don’t know who authorised such a recommendation,” she said.
However, Matthew Arnett, vice-president of the College of The Bahamas Union of Students [COBUS], told The Bahama Journal last night that he was fully aware of the recommendation being forwarded to Cabinet, and it was one that had COBUS’ “conditional” support.
Mr. Arnett said the question was put to COBUS during a meeting to discuss the possibility of a college delegation travelling to Montreal, Canada to talk to Mrs. Hodder about the candidacy.
The conditional “yes” to Mrs. Hodder’s candidacy involves a promise from the Council to address COBUS’ concerns about the selection process, said Mr. Arnett.
“Our plight was never with the candidate but with the process,” he said. “We think that Ms. Hodder is an excellent candidate.”
Ms. Hodder has a long resume of academic accomplishments and was among the first group of lecturers at COB.
According to the World University Service of Canada website, Ms. Hodder began her career as a teacher, becoming later a teacher-trainer and a programme evaluator. She went on to serve as Assistant Deputy Minister of Education in Québec for several years before becoming principal and Vice-Chancellor of Bishop’s University. She currently serves as a vice-principal at the prestigious McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Ms. Hodder reportedly also has a long-standing interest in development work, having begun her career in the Caribbean. She also acquired additional international experience as a consultant in support of the democratic movement in South Africa during the time of transition.
When Mrs. Hodder was first introduced to faculty at COB last month, UTEB members walked out of the meeting, and COBUS members later called for Council chairman Franklyn Wilson’s resignation over the selection process.
The Council rejected suggestions that Mrs. Hodder was given preferential treatment over the local candidates – acting president Dr. Rhonda Chipman-Johnson and Dr. Pandora Johnson – and made it clear that the college was looking for a candidate with international experience running a university.
The Council has also noted that it would like to make a decision on who would lead the College in time for the new academic year and hopes that it will bring an end to difficulties that have plagued the college’s leadership for years and “retarded the progress towards university status.”
Concerns were also raised about the fact that Mrs. Hodder did not have a doctorate, but the Council said that if she was qualified enough to hold her current position, she was suitable for the college’s top post.
It is understood that UTEB is the only stakeholder that is against Mrs. Hodder’s candidacy.
Quoting a government minister, Mrs. Isaacs-Dotson said that a school does not belong to any one person.
“And it seems to us right now that the college belongs to the college council,” she said.
“On one hand [the minister’s] saying the schools don’t belong to the minister, the director or anybody, but what happens to COB, does it now belong wholly and solely to the council and they can make whatever decisions they want to make without any consideration?
“It’s very disappointing. Obviously COB belongs to the college Council and they are doing what they want to do.”
UTEB leaders, who are also still trying to work out an industrial agreement with the Council, have called a meeting with its members today to “decide on the way forward.”
The Bahama Journal was unable to contact the Council’s chairman last night for comment, or confirm reports that Cabinet had approved Mrs. Hodder’s appointment.
It was also still unclear if Mrs. Hodder would accept such an appointment, if offered.
By: Erica Wells, The Bahama Journal
