Is UB President, Dr. Carey Fraser, being forced to resigned from the national university?

Carey Fraser

Tonight there are very credible reports that University of Belize President Carey Fraser is contemplating resignation from the institution. Dr. Fraser has been President for two years, and came to Belize from Pennsylvania State University. In his very few interactions with the media, Dr. Fraser has been circumspect, but there have been challenges at the university during his time. Not the least of those has been reported tension between the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees. This morning News Five was in Belmopan and spoke to the Director of UB’s Office of Public Information, Selwyn King. King told us that he had heard the report, but had yet to meet with the President to confirm it. If it is so, says King, the University will just have to deal with the transition, just as it has before.

Selwyn King, Office of Public Information, UB

“The president has been engaged in meetings yesterday and this morning—the SICA meeting. I am yet to sit down with the president so I am not in a position to confirm or deny. Following that meeting I will be in a better position and the president would also be able to speak on that issue. But at this point in time, I can’t confirm or deny. I will meet with the president following this SICA meeting.”

Reporter

Selwyn King

“It is difficult to believe that something like this would just happen…that he will be resigning on the spur of the moment. You work very closely with him. Have you had any indication that there were problems perhaps with the board and the president; anything which would lead to a decision like this?”

Selwyn King

“No, well in terms of challenges. We are always faced with challenges in our daily lives; even at home, private lives, so basically challenges will always be there in terms of the environment and the society. It is just a matter of overcoming challenges. The greatest weapon is communication and how best you communicate. Sometimes decisions are made and I am not privy to those decisions and I’m not privy to board decisions and board meetings. But what I can say is that rumors, as you said rumors and why we need to discuss it and to ascertain whether it is rumors or not rumors. Since 2000, we are tied up in the transition of Doctor Cal, then we had if I am not mistaken Corinth Morter Lewis. So we have always been in the face of transition. So it will be nothing to the University of Belize.”

President Dr. Cary Fraser spoke to us briefly as he walked on campus this morning. He declined an interview at this time, and would not confirm or deny reports of his resignation. He did tell us that there are, “decisions which he will have to make.” We figure that is some measure of confirmation that there is something in the works.