By RASHAD  ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE College of the Bahamas announced last night that Dr Rodney Smith has officially been appointed president to serve for a period of three years.

He will begin his tenure on Monday.

The college divulged no details about Dr Smith’s compensation package amid public interest in the matter following reports about his salary and benefits requests.   

However, the college said in a press statement yesterday that Dr Smith’s package will be consistent with that of his predecessors.

“Contrary to public speculation about the salary and benefits package of the new president, the College wishes to assure its stakeholders and the general public that Dr Rodney Smith’s renumeration is consistent with that of previous holders of the office of president,” the college’s statement said.

According to reports this week, Dr Smith requested a $400,000 salary, along with other benefits to serve as COB’s president.

His predecessor, Dr Betsy Vogel Boze, reportedly received an annual salary ranging from $180,000 to $250,000 annually.

Dr Smith has been a lightning rod for criticism in the Bahamas over the years.

In addition to the concerns that arose following recent reports about his salary and benefits requests, he was forced to resign as president of COB in 2005 amid a high-profile plagiarism controversy.

His bid to return to COB as president was opposed by some stakeholders even while he enjoyed strong support from the Union of Tertiary Educators of the Bahamas (UTEB) and the college’s student union.

Dr Smith will be expected to lead the college as it transitions into a university.

He was a 1986 graduate of Harvard University, where he earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration, Planning and Social Policy. He previously served as the vice president of administrative services at Hampton University from 2004 to 2014 and president of Ramapo College from 2001 to 2004.

He was COB’s president between 2004 and 2005.

Last night’s statement from the college said: “The position of college president requires a qualified individual who is able to demonstrate inclusive and decisive leadership. This kind of leadership reflects an understanding of the transformational potential of the university. The college embarked on a process last year to find the most competent Bahamian and the best suited individual to lead the institution.

“As an academician, strategist and researcher, Dr Smith is eminently qualified to fulfil the strategic goals and objectives of the institution and to lead the college through the process of becoming the University of the Bahamas. He has an extensive record of achievement and management performance in academia.”