Resign if you can’t work with me, says USP’s acting vicechancellor
I have no problems with listening to their concerns and helping them in any way that I can: Derrick Armstrong.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific, Derrick Armstrong, has given his senior management staff the option to resign if they feel uncomfortable working with him.
Professor Armstrong said he wouldn’t have taken on the role if he wasn’t confident enough to trust the authority of the Pro-Chancellor, Winston Thompson.
He said he had individually consulted his senior management staff and although they had concerns, they had shown their commitment to support him in his role.
“I have been speaking to my colleagues in senior management. I have given them the opportunity if they feel uncomfortable with carrying on in their roles, they have the opportunity to step down from that role. I have not asked anybody to step down but have given them the opportunity if they feel uncomfortable,” Professor Armstrong said.
“Nobody has expressed that feeling to step down. People are committed to the senior management team to support the university through this difficult period.”
The challenge for the university now, he said, was to maintain stability and support their students regardless of some students participation in demonstrations, writing letters of protest and active postings on social media. He said there were students who wanted to continue with their studies without being disadvantaged and affected by what was happening in USP.
Professor Armstrong said he was disappointed with the staff and students’ Associations that hadn’t been able to meet him.
However, an open invitation to meet remains on the table for them.
“I have no problems with listening to their concerns and helping them in any way that I can. I hope that we will be able to have those meetings in due course,” he said.
“Our professional duty is to support our students and maintain calm in this complex and challenging environment.”