First published in The Tribune, in the column Young Man's View, on Friday, July 16, 2010

By ADRIAN GIBSON

ajbahama@hotmail.com

THE College of the Bahamas' transition to university has the potential of leaving an indelible mark upon the nation, particularly if it incorporates as a major partner in the Bahamas' national development professional expertise to inform government policy and the national discourse.

Moreover, the evolution of COB to university should feature its relocation to more spacious environs, such as Andros, that can truly cater to the university's growth and expansion.

As was eloquently stated by recently retired COB president Janyne Hodder, the proposed university must be an agent of social responsibility and, even more, the institution must be a social developer.

The transformation from college to university must not only foster academic and intellectual leadership but also assist the country with small island sustainability issues and foster economic diversification.

Furthermore, in any modern approach to development, no progress can truly happen or succeed unless there is a multifaceted undertaking.

Most societal problems must be targeted through the partnerships of various stakeholders–a major stakeholder being a university. Indeed, a university is a "living" system and grows in response to, or alongside, national development.

Andros could become the quintessential university town. Frankly, beyond driving the economic growth and development of the country's largest island, it would be a prudent decision to relocate the main campus of the college/university as this sleeping, agricultural outpost has a greater physical capacity to facilitate expansion and is relatively close to the country's administrative centre–New Providence.

A college city would undoubtedly yield many spin-off employment opportunities.

With a student population that will likely outnumber native Androsians, the economic and social life of that community would be heightened, with the university indubitably becoming the island's largest employer, directly and by way of many businesses catering to the institution.

Indeed, Andros could become a student-centric metropolitan area that has a rich heritage and is not developed to the point that it cannot incorporate upgrades such as an efficient public transit network and pedestrian/bicycle-friendly environs.

No doubt, the construction of cafés and restaurants, advancement of the local music scene, clinics, pharmacies, businesses facilitating outdoor activities, frequent airline and ferry traffic, etcetera, would be notable by-products of such a relocation. Additional law enforcement and security can further add to a fun and safe off-campus social life.

Enliven

The development of fraternity and sorority houses, housing complexes and rental units for students, faculty and staff, and infrastructural improvements such as roads and the creation of bicycle paths, would enliven the local economic scene and likely result in many Androsians leaving jam-packed New Providence for occupational and business pursuits.

It could be a beacon to attract hundreds of businesses.

Indeed, a ferry service can be subsidised by the university and used for transport of New Providence-based employees.

It is envisaged that a University of the Bahamas, situated on Andros, would be housed on a complex featuring a nursing school, catering to prospective teachers and engineers, facilitating the expansion of the school of hospitality into an academy for tourism, house an institute of information technology, etcetera, all in a thrust to create and accommodate a university community.

The economy of Boston–a university/college town–is driven by the 80 tertiary institutions, inclusive of Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in the metropolitan area.

Other college towns are Auburn, Alabama (Auburn University), New Haven, Connecticut (Yale University, Johnson and Wales University, University of New Haven), Coral Gables, Florida (University of Miami) and Tallahassee, Florida (Florida State University, Florida A & M University).

According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia:

"The economy of the city is closely related with the university activity and highly supported by the entire university structure, which may include university hospitals and clinics, university printing houses, libraries, laboratories, business incubators, student rooms, dining halls, students' unions, student societies, and academic festivities. Moreover, the history of the city is often intertwined with the history of the university itself.

Many European university towns have not been merely important places of scientific and educational endeavour, but also centres of political, cultural and social influence to its respective society throughout the centuries. Examples of these cities include Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews, Szeged, Krakow, Leiden, Bologna, Coimbra, Salamanca, Leuven, Heidelberg, Freiburg, Göttingen, Pisa, Marburg, Ferrara, Uppsala, Siena, Pavia, Delft, Tartu, Tübingen, or Poitiers. Potchefstroom and Stellenbosch are South African examples of university towns in the European tradition."

Indeed, the Bahamas–more specifically Andros–could become known as a tertiary education destination by the development of a national university and the extension of invitations to foreign universities and colleges to establish satellite campuses there or on other islands.

Whatever becomes its final destination, the proposed University of the Bahamas must nurture an international atmosphere to also attract competitive foreign and exchange students. In doing so, a vibrant and competent student government must emerge, rather than the impotent and complacent, COBUS setup, purportedly now dictated to by puppeteers within the college's Department of Student Affairs and hardly representative of true student government as is seen by student governments on UWI campuses in Barbados/Trinidad and at major universities elsewhere.

The university must also evaluate its policy, regarding tuition and fees, as it relates to students born in the Bahamas of foreign parentage, but who have no national status or documentation and are ineligible for citizenship until age 18.

At present, there are no powerhouse departments within the college. Indeed, the major difference between a university and a high school is the fact that a university creates knowledge.

Research

A new university for the Bahamas must engage in research and development and also facilitate academic conferences and research partnerships.

Furthermore, attention must be paid to the emerging sectors of Bahamian society/economy, i.e. shipping, industrial services, maritime services, financial services, tourism, etc.

The university must also develop a competitive sports programme.

Moving forward, the new university must liaise with public and private entities to create internship opportunities and assist with the development of the academic strengths of each school within the university.

The proposed university must be inclusive of graduate programmes and broadened degree options in multi-disciplinary fields such as urban planning, economics, international studies, greater focus on strategic programmes such as scientific research, the development of the arts (e.g. theatre and dance), physics, education, engineering, aquaculture and island studies, public health, architecture, marine and environmental studies, leadership studies, information technology, foreign languages, law, and so on. Greater community service initiatives should also be incorporated into degree programmes as a stipulation for graduation.

With the establishment of a flagship tertiary institution forethought must be given to the financial status of Bahamians, offering academic and sporting scholarships and financial aid (work study), with a reasonable tuition and fee structure that is reflective of its status but also isn't budget-breaking for the average Bahamian household.

The University of the Bahamas must do its part in the development of green initiatives and sustainable energy, highlighting those that are most applicable to the Bahamas.

As we develop as a nation, it is important to note that it is the academic and social environments provided by colleges and universities such as COB, which shapes the rest of our lives.

RESPONSE TO STELLA MARIS INN

In the July 7, 2010 edition of The Tribune, a letter appeared from Joel Friese, General Manager of the Stella Maris resort (Long Island), stating that "(they) would like to correct the somewhat misleading statement of hotel employees 'making less that $100 for a full-week's work'" that I had written in my column of July 2.

Mr Friese spoke of recent business shortfalls, the continuous employment of residents over 35 years of non-stop operation and asserted that "all of our staff makes above minimum wage required by Bahamian Labour Laws."

On July 2, I wrote:

"Today, beyond the economic and infrastructural drawbacks, Long Islanders must take on the Herculean task of tackling the social issues facing a young and technologically-savvy face book generation, coupled with an annual exodus of young people. "

"Indeed, there is hardly any long-term, sustainable economic development or growth throughout the island, apart from a few low-paying hotel jobs where

residents – particularly those in the north – complain about being paid less than $100 for a full-week's work. Where is the Department of Labour? Where are the unions?"

I called no names but merely threw a stone intended to prick the conscience of employers, Long Islanders and the Labour Department based upon information brought to my attention by island folks during a recent visit home.

There are several resort properties in northern Long Island, ranging from time shares to inns to villas and boutique resorts to the more upscale operations such as the Cape Santa Maria resort and the Stella Maris Inn.

What I said is clear and I did not specifically accuse the Inn (interestingly, they are the only operators to have come out railing against my comments) or anyone else of any wrongdoing and, as a result, I question their defensive stance and what exactly they were correcting or disavowing?

What does it profit me to tell fairy tales about the plight and state of workers on the island?

I am mindful that the objective of the historic Burma Road riots of 1942 was to advance labour reforms and ensure that labour laws are upheld. I call upon Labour Minister Dion Foulkes and the Department of Labour to travel to Long Island, hear the plight and grievances of workers (in and out of the hotel/tourism sector), request to see their official cheque stubs, provide workers with the protection and confidence to confidentially speak up and without the fear of a possible disclosure of their identities or being fired, and to address the slavish, lower-than-minimal wages some Bahamians are being paid.

I stand by my column of July 2!