Cuttington University President Dr. Hermon Browne says he is pleased for the overwhelming welcome from Staff and Students of the University, despite some faculty members expressing bitterness over his reinstatement as President by the Board of Trustees.
It can be recalled in May of this year the Cuttington University Faculty Association (CUFA) called on the Board of Trustees of the University to ensure an independent investigation and audit of the tenure of the suspended President, Dr. Hermon Browne, which witnessed a massive decline in the institution’s activities in the county.
Based on the demonstration, Dr. Browne was suspended as President and subsequently replaced by acting President Father John Tamba.
The Leadership of Dr. Browne was mixed with several demonstrations and go slow actions which many believe could have led to poor attendance of students for academic 2018-2019.
The situation which lasted for several days’ drew the attention of the Liberian government and University Board of Trustees and immediately suspended Dr.Browne for proper investigation of the matter.
But the President of Cuttington University Faculty Association, Lepolu Torlon describes the committee constituted by the Board of Trustees of the University to fact-find in the Dr. Hermon Browne financial saga at the University as ‘bogus committee’.
On grounds that the committee lacks fortitude and independence to effectively investigate and ensure a transparent evaluation of the tenure of Dr. Browne at the University.
Mr. Torlon said the committee comprises of certain members of the Board, including Dr. Benoni Urey, Stephen Allen and others are special confidants of Dr. Browne, adding that they will not be instrumental in their investigation.
CUFA President alleged that the committee constituted by the Board of Trustees has not been functioning in the best interest of Cuttington University, but has been working hard to protect Dr. Browne interest.
But after a thorough investigation, the University Board headed by Bishop Jonathan B.B Heart has finally to reinstate Dr. Hermon Browne as President.
Speaking in an interview with The Monrovia Times on Thursday September 6, 2018 in Gbarnga, Bong County Dr. Hermon Browne stated that it is very unfortunate for some faculty members of the University speculate that they do not support the action taken by CU Board of Trustees to reinstate him as President after several demonstrations by Students and go slow actions by faculty members demanding his resignation.
Dr.Browne added that he is yet to receive communication from those aggrieved faculty members that have said they will not return to class until he resigned his position.
He, at the same time, used the occasion to appeal to the aggrieved Faculties to sit on the table to discuss issues affecting that prestigious University, maintaining that they will handle Faculty members who will refuse to return to classes in the soonest possible time.
The Cuttington University President at the same time said he is not panic about some CUFA members threatening to stay away from the classroom.
He revealed that all is set for reopening of the University on Monday, September 10, 2018.
