UB Board of Trustees charts the way forward

Harrison Pilgrim

Chairman of the Board of Trustees Harrison Pilgrim did not wish to comment on the report that the Government of Belize owes U.B. two point five million dollars, and that is the reason for these austere times. While the exact figure is the subject of speculation, it is a fact that G.O.B. owes U.B. money. President Cary Fraser makes reference to it in his letter to Prime Minister Dean Barrow dated November sixth, 2013. Fraser mentions the (Quote) “chronic inability of the Ministry of Education to meet its debts to the University of Belize.” Fraser also states that the negotiations about the budget for the 2013-2014 academic year has “led me to question whether the situation will improve in the future.” (Unquote) With that said, the President also takes some hits at the Board, accusing it of micro-managing the University. Fraser states that Board intervention in operational issues has undermined the capacity of the University of Belize. With the President making no bones about his thoughts on the Board, how will the two operate together in harmony?  

Harrison Pilgrim, Chair, Board of Trustees, UB

“There is no crystal ball that I know about that I can look into to determine the future. At this point there are cordial relations existing. Going forward obviously there is going to be need for us to handle the matter with the level of sensitivity which if I were going to start talking about things now – what I would do and what I wouldn’t do – would betray the confidence and the relationship that I presently have with the President and which this Board would want to maintain throughout the tenure of his appointment. And so while we are here with the media and while we have come to talk to you about what we see as the way forward and the kinds of things that we are going to be looking for and giving you the assurance that this Board has not just sat back and are awaiting things to happen, at the same time I would ask that you recognize the delicate nature of the discourse that we are currently in, especially in light of the fact that the president is not here with us today although he was invited to participate in the event.”