Has Carey Fraser stepped down as president of UB?

Cary Fraser

Today, News Five received multiple reports that University of Belize President, Doctor Carey Fraser, had left office. Fraser has written a letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow indicating that he will be leaving office at the end of the academic year, June 2014. In that letter, Fraser criticized the Board of Trustees for its micro-management of the institution, stating that, “Board intervention in operational issues has undermined the capacity of the University of Belize to foster institutional stability at leadership levels.” Fraser also lamented the inability of the Ministry of Education to meet its debts to the university, stating that it is a signal of the low priority accorded to UB. While those criticisms have certainly not endeared Fraser to those on the Board or in government, the reports today that he had demitted office are not true. This evening, News Five spoke to Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Harrison Pilgrim, who confirmed that Fraser is still installed as President of the University, and nothing has changed since a press conference last week. Fraser has indicated that he is seeking an audience with P.M. Barrow, and not much change in the situation is expected before that meeting occurs.