We acted within our powers – Winston Thompson

The Pro-Chancellor of the University of the South Pacific Winston Thompson has today stressed that the university’s Executive Committee acted within its powers to look into allegations of material misconduct against Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia and to suspend him pending an independent investigation.

In a press conference, Thompson says claims that the Executive Committee acted illegally on Monday, are incorrect.

Thompson says if you read the statutes and ordinance, it gives specific powers to the Executive Committee to do what it did.

He stresses that during an emergency, the Executive Committee may act on behalf of the USP Council and then report back to the Council.

Thompson says the allegations against Ahluwalia will be thoroughly investigated so that the facts will come forward and hopefully it will be sufficiently clear, and it will point to one way or the other.

He adds that an independent team will be chosen to conduct the investigation.

Thompson has also stressed that the allegations against Ahluwalia is separate from the report he had prepared last year.

Acting USP VC looks into why USP Library services are not being provided

By: Semi Turaga

USP’s Acting Vice-Chancellor Derrick Armstrong says he has asked his team to provide information to him about what is happening in the Laucala Campus as the USP Library has tweeted that they are not providing any library services in support of suspended Vice-Chancellor Pal Ahluwalia.

Armstrong says he was surprised when he heard about it.

He says has not had the time to carry out investigations on what is going on but will be able to provide information later.

It is unclear who gave the directive to stop the library services.

USP Library said on Twitter that the building is still open. It further wrote that the book chute is open for book returns and the PC lab is open as usual.

USP Libary also says laptops, course textbooks and any other services that require staff interaction are not available.

USPSA does not recognise the Acting USP Vice-Chancellor

By: Semi Turaga

The University of the South Pacific Students Association says its stand is clear and it does not recognise the Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Derrick Armstrong who was appointed following the suspension of Professor Pal Ahluwalia.

According to the Association, it was contacted by the Acting Vice Chancellor's office for its student leaders to meet with Professor Armstrong and the USP Pro-Chancellor Winston Thompson.

The USP Students Association says their response was clear as they do not recognise the Acting Vice-Chancellor nor will they meet with someone who has been illegally appointed by the Pro-Chancellor.

There are two representatives of the USP Students Association on the USP Council.

Earlier story

By: Dhanjay Deo

The University of the South Pacific Students Association says there will be no need for USP students to boycott exams, classes, and other activities as the USP Council has acted and they have been informed that there will be a special council meeting of the USP which will look into the governing matters of the university.

The Spokesperson of the USP Students Association, Aneet Kumar says they are now expecting official communication regarding the special council meeting of the USP.

Kumar says there are two representatives of the USP Students Association in the USP Council and they will be putting their demands in the council meeting.

The association had written to the USP Council on Tuesday demanding the resignation of the Chair of the USP Council, Winston Thompson, Deputy Chair of Council, Aloma Johansson, and the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, Mahmood Khan.