The University of the West Indies, Mona will have to further restructure its operations and make changes which would allow the campus to survive and compete in the future. This was the view expressed by Principal, Professor the Hon. Gordon Shirley, as he addressed members of staff on Thursday, July 29 at one in the series of town hall meetings aimed at providing regular updates on the progress being made to address the significant cut in government subvention to the Campus.

Principal Shirley said that the Campus would proceed collaboratively as far as possible with the involvement of Campus Management, faculty, staff, union representatives and students. The underpinning principle would be one of transparency as this was important for trust and support. He added that the Campus would focus on sustainable cost reductions and income generation rather than on short term quick fixes, and further pointed out that allocation of resources would have to be in line with the Campus’ strategic goals and priorities.

Professor Shirley reminded members of staff that after the budgetary cuts in the last financial year, the Campus had adopted a number of cost reduction strategies. These included placing a freeze on vacancies, elimination of overtime, elimination of Sale of Leave, a reduction in security and utility costs and the reduction in employment of part time and temporary staff.  He said that the Campus had also sought to enhance revenue by expanding its fee paying programmes, for example in Law, Nursing and Basic Medical Sciences and also by introducing new programmes.  Within this context, a range of approved capital projects aimed at income generation opportunities including a state-of-the-art Basic Medical Sciences complex and a building which will be the home of the Faculty of Law at Mona had been undertaken.

Prof. Shirley indicated that steps would also be taken to ensure that the Campus reduced its housing expenses by over J$75Million as highlighted in a study commissioned by the Campus.

With regard to utility costs, various studies undertaken by the Campus revealed significant savings potential. As such, the Campus was moving towards ensuring that this area received focused attention through the hiring of someone with specific responsibility for reducing costs in this area. 

The Mona Campus has embarked on an exciting new phase of sports development including scholarships for outstanding athletes, the installation of the BSW’s Regupol Athletic track given as a gift for the Mona Campus to the Hon Usain Bolt and the development of world class sports facilities for training, competition and recreation. In view of the large investment at the Mona bowl someone with the requisite skills has been hired to maintain it at optimal levels.

The Mona Campus is well aware of the changing tertiary landscape and within the context of the reduction in government subvention over two successive years, the Campus is positioning itself to not only survive but to remain highly competitive and successful.