The unexpected retirement of long-time educator and administrator at the College of the Bahamas, Executive Vice-president Dr Rhonda Chipman-Johnson, shocked some at the College, yesterday, when the news broke.

Dr Chipman-Johnson said she expected people to speculate, but she wished not to comment on her reasons, saying only that she was "exercising (her) eligibility to retire."

Inside sources told the Tribune that Dr Earla Carey-Baines, Dean of Liberal and Fine Arts, was selected by the COB Board to act as interim president, in the wake of Janyne Hodder's retirement this month. They claimed it was a "slap in the face" to Dr Chipman-Johnson, who has served as interim-president on at least three different occasions.

Dr Carey-Baines is also the College's lead negotiator, in the contract negotiations with the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) that have now gone to arbitration.

"It is quite a shock if it is true. Once we are officially informed we will issue a statement. The union's position was that Dr Chipman-Johnson should have been appointed acting president. (Appointing Dr Carey-Baines would be a) violation of the College Act. The Act says in the absence of the president or if there is a vacancy it is to be filled by the Executive Vice-president," claimed Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, UTEB president.

Mrs Isaacs-Dotson was referring to Section 6 of the College of The Bahamas Act that states: "Whenever the President is absent from The Bahamas or is for any reason unable to perform the functions of his office, or whenever there is a vacancy in the office of President, the Executive Vice-president shall exercise and perform the functions of the President."

Dr Chipman-Johnson was Executive Vice-president and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Sources said she was also being considered for the presidency, among others, as she still maintained popular support within the college.

Board Chairman Baswell Donaldson said any information he possessed was "privileged information" that he was not at liberty to discuss. "I have no doubt the public has a right to know. The public will know when the Council makes a decision," he said.

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