‘Most unfortunate’

Disgruntled students at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, have vowed to continue protesting as they press for Dr Nadeen Spence, student services and development manager for Mary Seacole Hall, to be placed on leave as a probe continues into a series of events which began unfolding at the inter-hall sports day on Sunday.

Chancellor Hall Chairman Shaquille Ramsay told The Gleaner that he remains dissatisfied following a meeting on Monday with the UWI administration in relation to the incident.

The meeting followed a protest late Sunday evening in which scores of residents of the Mary Seacole and Chancellor halls called for the sacking of Spence and an unnamed resident adviser.

The Gleaner understands that the issues stem from a verbal spat and a later physical confrontation at the event.

A senior member of the university staff told our news team that while Spence, the resident adviser and Ramsay had a verbal clash in full view of spectators at the event, she was not present when a physical clash later took place between some students and other parties.

It is alleged that during the physical confrontation, one of the parties exposed a licensed firearm.

“A student got ill and Dr Spence took her for medical examination and that was when the altercation occurred ... She was not there,” said the source, who requested anonymity.

When contacted, Spence offered a statement and declined to comment further, noting that she did not want to prejudice the investigations.

“The incident was uncalled for and most unfortunate. At no time did I demean the office which I hold nor did I conduct myself in a manner that would be considered objectionable by any rational or reasonable person,” she said in the statement.

Spence has also referred the matter to her attorney Peter Champagnie, KC.

The UWI’s director of security has also given the administration a preliminary report on the matter.

Gleaner sources say the tussle involved a 32-year-old licensed firearm holder, a 27-year-old man and a 21-year-old student attached to Chancellor Hall.

All three were interviewed by the police and later released.

According to Ramsay, a narrative was being set to paint a picture as if the students were not truthful about what transpired.

“This resulted in our stance that not only the resident adviser should be removed, but Dr Spence. [She] would have compromised her office by virtue of trying to deny that the incident took place, trying to downplay the seriousness of the incident ... ,” he said.

“We are asking that the university place her on immediate unpaid leave, pending an investigation. However, for the resident adviser, ... she must be removed,” Ramsay said.

Martineil Bartley, public relations officer of the UWI Guild of Students, told The Gleaner that the student leadership body is giving The UWI until noon Wednesday to respond to the issue.

“We are now abreast of all the allegations and we are trying to move forward to ensure that the university, the police and all relevant parties play their part to expedite the process … ,” Bartley told The Gleaner.

andre.williams@gleanerjm.com