Suakoko, Bong County – The Cuttington University Faculty Association (CUFA) has called on the Board of Trustees of the university to reconstitute an independent committee to investigate and audit the tenure of the suspended President, Dr. Hermon Browne.
Report by Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
According to CUFA, the current committee that was set up by the board lacks “fortitude and independence” to effectively investigate and ensure a transparent evaluation of the tenure of Dr. Browne which it said witnessed a massive decline in the institution’s activities in recent time.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 13 through its President J. Lepolu Torlon, the association alleged that the current committee comprises of certain members of the Board that are confidants of Dr. Browne and were instrumental in his selection and as president of institution.
“CUFA is well aware that the committee as presently constituted has not been functioning in the best interest of Cuttington University (CU), but has been working hard to shield Dr. Browne,” the statement said.
There is no doubt that the influence of such people on the panel is very dominant as they have compromised the independence and transparency of the fact-finding committee, CUFA said.
The statement: “Nevertheless, in view of the rigmarole by the biased umpire called investigating panel to cover up the painful acts of Dr. Browne, it is strongly believed that Dr. Browne is being allowed indirectly to be a judge in his own case. This business as usual mode in handling challenges confronting CU is unacceptable to us that suffered immeasurably under the weight of his autocratic stewardship.”
The association says it “takes exception to all the deceptive tactics by the current compromised fact-finding and investigating committee on Dr. Browne’s stewardship in Cuttington University in the last few years,” calling for the dissolution of the committee because it lacks transparency.
“As the university begins preparation for a new semester, CUFA hereby firmly suggests to the Board of Trustees of CU to take immediate action by constituting an independent, transparent and unbiased committee to investigate Dr. Hermon Browne and ensure an audit of his tenure in order to prevent the reoccurrence of situation that slowed down academic activities and subsequently led to his suspension,” CUFA said.
Meanwhile CUFA in the release reiterated its commitment to the Board of Trustees in upholding academic excellence and moral discipline at CU.
It can be recalled that on May 30, 2018, the Cuttington University Board of Trustees on May 30, 2018 announced the suspension of Dr. Herman B. Browne.
“The Board of Trustees is aware of the public outcries and concerns about what going on the University main campus,” said Bishop Jonathan B. B. Hart, who is the board’s chair.
The Board of Trustees would not explain the concerns that ultimately led to its decision but later Father James Tamba, Leon C, the university’s dean of Theology was appointed to serve as interim president.
Before the Board’s decision, students of the university demanded Browne’s resignation on grounds that he has failed to live up to the task since he became president in 2017.