Outgoing principal of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus Professor the Most Honourable Eudine Barriteau says the campus has reached “financial barebones” in its operation and has embarked on a wide-ranging programme to attract revenue.
Delivering her final report as principal at the annual Campus Council meeting today, Barriteau said the campus was so challenged “that we cannot go any lower”.
She said during the period under review the campus faced mounting debt arrears, suspension and then introduction of tuition fees for Barbadian students, and declining student numbers though it persevered with its mission of educating students.
Barriteau said the campus had in recent years introduced various measures to cut operational expenses, reducing costs through renewable energy initiatives and investments, attrition of staff positions through retirement and a rationalisation of courses and programmes, among other measures.
Barrriteau indicated digitisation would be a significant feature of the institution’s operational and educational delivery processes.
The principal disclosed the total student population at the start of the current academic year stood at 6 668, representing an increase of just over eight per cent over the previous year. (GC)
