Judith E. Vanterpool resigns as HLSCC President
This was revealed in a press release issued by HLSCC today, October 22, 2019.
Mrs Vanterpool, the wife of Opposition Member and Fourth District Representative, Hon Mark H. Vanterpool, has been acting in the position since August 1, 2018 and had received her appointment under the then controversial Minister for Education, Myron V. Walwyn. She had replaced interim President, Dr Janet B. Smith, who had her share of controversy at the tertiary education institution.
According to the press release, Dr Richard Georges will serve as Interim Acting President until the Board convenes later this month.
“Mrs Vanterpool expressed gratitude for all courtesies extended to her and wished the College the best and much success in the future,” the press release added.
Deputy Chairman of the HLSCC Board of Governors, Mrs Fiona Forbes-Vanterpool stated that “on behalf of the Board of Governors, we respect and accept the resignation of Mrs Vanterpool, and are grateful for the contributions she has made to the HLSCC community. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors”.
Vanterpool’s tenure was approved for an additional year!
The HLSCC release also mentioned that Education Minister Dr The Honourable Natalio D.Wheatley (R7), in accordance with section 14 (1) of the HLSCC College Act 1990, had approved the acting appointment of Mrs Vanterpool as President for an additional year with effect on September 8, 2019.
Meanwhile, Mr John M. Samuel, Chairman of the HLSCC Board of Governors commented that the college is a sound institution with a very competent staff compliment.
“The institution will continue to grow, develop positively, and contribute to the BVI Community as expected. We remain committed to these goals and together we will rise! ”
The college was founded under the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) Government and was opened in 1990 when the late H. Lavity Stoutt was the Chief Minister of the territory and the founding Chairman of the College's Board of Governors.
22 Responses to “Judith E. Vanterpool resigns as HLSCC President”
Personnel who support the opposing party still has to be professional on the job, adhering to policies and not letting their political philosophy influence their performance. Of course, if their political philosophy influence their performance, they should be coached, counseled and disciplined as needed and separated if no improvement in behaviour and performance are noted.
Further, the MEC should conduct a comprehensive review and obtain the facts before swearing on the good book for anyone. One’s children can fool and disappoint one and so too will friends and colleagues. Former US President Regan philosophy was trust but verify. The VI as a whole should be a great place to live, play and work; working at government must be a great place to work regardless of political affiliation.
Moreover, the only thing in life is constant is change. Today party A is in government but in a few short years it can be kicked to the curb and in opposition. It is a dysfunctional process if every government comes to power cleans house. This process stifles growth and development, adversely impact good governance, degrade the level of service delivery, diminish productivity and increase the cost of doing business. It is one BVI; one love.
Politics is diminishing the quality of education. The instability and uncertainty at the institution is counter to attaining the vision and mission of institution. The wholesale revamping of the board and the frequent changing of presidents is detrimental to the institution.
Moreover, building a strong, quality and effective education programme takes planning, programming, budgeting and executing; it takes time. Playing musical chairs with presidents undermines this goal. The Board develops policies and the president and team executes the policies.
As such, the Board should stay out of the micromanaging the institution. With this approach, the institution will handicap itself in attracting the best and brightest and experience to lead the institution. It is unrealistic and insulting to give a president a 1 year contract and expect high return, unless he/she is not seen as the future leader of the institution. Let’s not slaughter our children education and bright future of the VI on the altar of politics, for history will be unkind to politicians who do so.
The people of the VI cannot and should not let tribal politics undermine the education and training of her children, her future.
@ Aaron what raise are you talking about my boy.. Let me know because the college staff was not given any raise in donkey years. Raise could not be given when they had a lack of fund issue for years. Can't you remember when the staff was not even getting paid on time which was all over the news wave? Anyway, Mrs. Vanterpool don't need the college. Her bread butter on all sides. There is plenty politics at the college. The chairman is a b*ll he**ed pi*. And the Natalio Wheatley has changed tremendously. He use to be so humble as a staff and faculty at that institution but now as a minister of education it looks like it gone to his head. but people time will tell. To everything there is a season. The college has gone to the dogs. Staff are frustrated. Everyday its a meeting, meeting, meeting, and what is coming out of the meetings. People up there doing what they want. Heads of departments are getting away with all sort of sh*t taking time off without record, leaving the compound when they want and appearing when they want while they keeping tab on the lower staff members. The moldy place affecting workers and students. Dog eat dog at HLSCC. The bursar contract was not renewed, a woman who was trying to save the college money from all the wastage, they got rid of her. It seems as if the college is getting rid of all local and using people who got belongers status, not full pledge BVIslanders. HLSCC I hope one day you will revive. Nothing last for ever. The Late H. L.Stoutt didn't not vison this mess, his vison was to see the people of the BVI prosper and that can only be accomplish if we hold each others hands, not tearing down each other for the love of money and fame and then using the Lord God name as a cover up. This too shall pass.