Vice chair resigns board of embattled Edna Manley College
Published:Wednesday | August 28, 2019 | 12:00 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
The relatively new board of governors of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts has had its first casualty with the resignation of its vice chair, Sheryn Hylton-Parker.
Hylton-Parker tendered her resignation hours before the board reportedly sent a letter of suspension to the college’s principal, Dr Nicholeen DeGrasse-Johnson, on Tuesday.
A former Edna Manley School of Drama student, Hylton-Parker, who had served on the previous board for three years, before being drafted on the new one, refused to comment on the contents of her resignation letter.
The Board is headed by Marigold Harding.
Hylton-Parker, a former professional associate who worked as a consular officer and community liaison officer with the United States Department of State, said she had no idea that the college’s principal had been given a letter of suspension. She said she learnt of the decision in the media.
Her resignation comes at a time when the college is still reeling from the effects of the case of sexual harassment revealed by The Sunday Gleaner in May and the faculty members and staff are expressing concern about any disruptions by the Board at the start of the new school year.
In a letter to the Board, the faculty members stated that the constant negative publicity continues to have a debilitating effect on the morale of staff and students, tagging the exercise as “head-hunting”.
Their request for a town hall meeting with the Board on Tuesday was denied.
Admitting they could not say much more about the issue of sexual harassment, which is still under investigation, the faculty members said they make it clear and unambiguous, that they feel deep concern, and stand in caring support for any student or staff member who has been a victim of sexual harassment, abuse of power, gender discrimination and/or any other such forms of injustice.
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