The Council of The University of the South Pacific has resolved to address growing concern amongst staff, students and stakeholders regarding management at the region’s premier university.
A statement released today states that the Council has resolved to launch an independent review into human resources concerns raised by USP staff unions, and address the lack of a ‘Visitor’, by its next official Council Meeting in November.
Tensions continue at USP over a range of issue, but in particular, staffing, prompting a vote for strike action in August this year. The two core demands articulated by the USP staff unions were the removal of Vice Chancellor Professor Pal Ahluwalia, and the reinstatement of the former staff union president Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini.
Several letters to the USP Council—including from student groups— and the strike threat have prompted Council to step in. The Fiji representatives on the Council and the Fijian Government called for a special council meeting, which was held on Tuesday of this week.
Today a letter was emailed to all USP staff and students and media outlining the outcomes of this meeting, including the bid to seek out a Visitor for the University.
“The Council is concerned about the prolonged vacancy of the University Visitor,” the letter states.
“The position has been vacant since May 2022. The Council noted that in accordance with Article 27 of the Charter of USP, Council is the body which appoints the University Visitor. The Office of the Visitor, among other duties as prescribed by the Charter and Council, is the final appellant authority within the USP for internal disputes.”
The lack of a Visitor has reportedly been the stalling point in several internal disputes over the University’s recent history. An appointment to the position could be a pathway to resolving the staff pushback against the termination of academic and former union president Dr Osborne, and other grievances.
Today’s statement notes: “The Council has also responded to concerns expressed about human resource decisions and processes and has resolved to initiate an independent review. The findings are to be presented to the Council at its November meeting.”
It is not yet clear who will conduct that review.
The next USP Council Meeting is scheduled to take place on November 25th and 26th, 2024 in the Cook Islands.