By LAMECH JOHNSON

Tribune Staff Reporter

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

THE head of the College of the Bahamas’ presidential search committee took exception to criticisms of the search for the institution’s 10th president in 16 years.

Among the criticisms Justice Ruby Nottage answered during COB’s convocation ceremony for the new year were reports that a new president had already been selected by the Advisory Search Committee, although the evaluation phase of the search had not been completed.

As the head of that committee, she began, ““I become very angry when I hear any sip-sip.”

“I have people call me and say ‘I heard you’ve already chosen the president’. I don’t know that. I must have not been present at that meeting. No such thing. There is a process and you’re going to learn that process this morning,” she told staff, faculty and administrators on Friday.

Justice Nottage also responded to concerns and criticism that the search process was “shrouded in secrecy.”

“It isn’t. It’s shrouded in confidentiality, however; very highly confidential. Because when people apply for a position as high and mighty, and also as impressive as this, you’re going to get persons applying who may already be in sufficiently important positions,”she said.

“They don’t really wish to have their names mentioned at this stage because it may jeopardize their existing jobs. But they do want to put their name out there and so the confidentiality of our committee must be respected.”

The search for the new president began in June of 2013 when the committee of 12 was appointed after outgoing president, Dr Betsy Vogel-Boze indicated her intention not to renew her three-year contract.

A pre-search was conducted by the committee between July and September when the committee held a press conference on September 22 announcing the recruitment phase (phase 3) of the search for the new president.

Bahamian citizenship, a 7-year minimum experience in leadership/administration, preferred possession of a doctoral degree aside, and having “unquestioned integrity and the capacity to inspire confidence and trust both locally and abroad”, Mrs Nottage outlined as important requirements that candidates must have to make them favourable to be the first president of the soon-to-be University of the Bahamas.

The President will be the embodiment of the principles and core values of the university with the ability to provide moral and intellectual leadership, on campus and at the national level, on issues of importance to higher education.

The President must have a highly developed understanding of academic values and culture, as well as an appreciation for scholarly work and academic excellence.

The President must bring a future-oriented awareness of the role that a university will play, particularly in a knowledge-based economy, both in educating students and the wider community and in creating new knowledge, consistent with the needs of The Bahamas in a global economy.

The President must also appreciate the unique role played by a national institution in a developing society, including the special structural relationship between the university and the Government, the expectations that the public and the Government have of the university, and the implications of those expectations in terms of the institution’s functioning and performance.

At the press conference last September, former Justice Nottage noted that it was not the first time the college has sought for its president to be Bahamian.

“I think that prior to 2010, when Jeanine Hodder was appointed, I’d recall that the statement was made ‘that a Bahamian must be the qualification,’” the Advisory Search Committee’s chairperson said.

“However, we’re very firm about that this time. Bahamian must be the qualification, Bahamian citizen.”

On Friday, the head of the presidential search team admitted that the exclusion of international candidates from the search did not sit well with some members in society. However, she said the criteria was set by the college council, which is governed by a resolution.

“Now some of you think that I’ve said that. I didn’t. That was a part of the mandate given to my committee. And that was a college resolution,” she explained.

“I’m very proud of it and I’ve heard a lot of criticism because of it, from people in very high places who felt that it was not an appropriate thing to do,” Mrs Nottage added.

While noting that members of the public were entitled to debate and to their opinion that all possible candidates should be sought for the institution’s transition to university. “I am saying that the mandate for the committee that I serve on is that the new president must be a Bahamian.”

Dr Vogel-Boze completed her last day as president of COB on December 31, 2013. Dr Earla Carey-Baines, executive vice president and VP for Academic Affairs. is now serving as Interim President until a final decision is made by the college council as to who the 10th president in 16 years will be.