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Ross University School of Medicine Debate

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lisa-wardell
Lisa Wardell, President and CEO, Adtalem Global Education

[Barbados Underground] The decision by the principals of Ross University School of Medicine to relocate to Barbados has sparked a debate across the region. The blogmaster sees the decision for what it is, Ross’ owner made a BUSINESS decision to move from hurricane ravaged Dominica to a user friendly – out of the hurricane track – geography.

The more important question Barbadians should be asking is what concessions were given to Ross University School of Medicine by the Mottley government. While in opposition Mottley and team were strident in the call for concessions given to Sandals, Cost-U-Less and a few others be shared with the public. Guess what, the public is none the wiser after being in office for more than three months.

In response to requests from members of the BU family to create a blog space to facilitate debate the blogmaster is pleased to share the letter Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit issued to President and CEO Lisa Wardell of Adtalem Global Education – parent company of Ross University – last month to inform the discussion.

Thanks to the BU family member for sharing!

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347 responses to “Ross University School of Medicine Debate”

  1. NorthernObserver Avatar
    NorthernObserver

    So you do not start off on the wrong foot, Ms Wardell is the President and CEO of Adtalem Global Education which is the parent company of Ross University School of Medicine. Kathy Boden Holland is the Group President Medical and Healthcare, under which Ross falls, while William F Owen is the Dean and Chancellor of Ross.
    This is the Adtalem press release
    https://www.adtalem.com/newsroom/press-releases/Adtalem-Global-Education-Announces-Barbados-as-New-Location-for-Ross-University-School-of-Medicine.html

    Now the concessions. Good luck on getting an answer.

  2. John Avatar
    John

    Someone mentioned to me that at the time of the Grenada invasion the St. George’s University sought to relocate to Barbados but was denied permission.

    Is this true?

    Reagan invaded Grenada based on the American students there.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George%27s_University

    Today there are over 6,000 students and the fees are about $26,000 USD so clearly it is a major contributor to the economy of Grenada.

    “In August 2014, SGU received a $750 million investment[11] from Baring Private Equity Asia and Altas Partners, a Canadian private equity company whose other major investment is in a salt mining operation.[12] In August 2015, G. Richard Olds, the founder and past dean of UC Riverside School of Medicine, was named as the school’s president and CEO.[13] ”

    … now that’s a lot of $$$$$$$!!

    “In response to Hurricane Ivan in 2004, students were again relocated temporarily to campuses in the United States.[9] The school has a comprehensive hurricane plan in place currently.[10]”

  3. 45govt Avatar
    45govt

    What is a degree from this institution worth in the real world? Is it better for instance than those Indian ones proclaiming “Bombay, Failed”? We have all heard of the St George’s School of Medicine in Grenada, but who knew their offices are listed as a hole-in-the-wall business centre in Winchester, UK?

    They all smell fishy to me.

  4. 45govt Avatar
    45govt

    PS – I expect the professional DLP yardfowl Mariposa will be along to agree shortly!

  5. bajanfreeparty Avatar
    bajanfreeparty

    Are we seeing that woman power may be more dangerous than manpower? when women begin to act more than a Man? Knowing what a crook Mia is anything is possible as new Ministers get ready to see how they can gain and lawyers of the house rush to help drug suspects?

  6. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Antigua has graciously stepped in to help Dominica following the stealing of Ross University from its jurisdiction. It is further proof of the loss of our soft diplomatic advantage among our neighbours. How sad.
    What is important is that if stealing low hanging fruit from our neighbours and cousins is now our policy, we are in a bad way. If this is the new economic model, as advised by the highly paid consultants, what about seducing one of the regional banks, or insurance companies, or fintech companies? It is not too late for Barbados to withdraw any concessions we might have offered Ross. Of course, the owners of Ross University have a duty to make decisions in the best interest of their stakeholders, but that does not mean the government of Barbados has to go along with them. We owe the Do0micans an apology.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @Norther Observern

    Thanks!

  8. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Hal yes we do . Mia has demonstrated to the Carribbean Nation that this govt is ruthless and the word unity means nothing and the selfish interst of barbados is all that matters
    Now how in heaveans name can she ever crticize any govt in terms of moral ineptitude
    What Mia did is disgraceful i wonder how she sleeps at night knowning that theifing 30% of Dominica weakened economy would increases unbearable hardship on the people of Dominica
    The story of how this Ross location happened to come about tells a story if an uncaring conniving insensitive person
    Who would steal from the poor to give unto themselves
    RobinHood and his ban of bandits stole from the Rich and gave to the poor but this from a govt who wants to secure its assets and go after what the poor people of Dominica owns is chilling
    As for the concessions from the stories read in the Dominica Papers Mia all but gave Ross the entire island of Barbados

  9. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    Hal
    Why don’t you submit a job application to Mia: Consultant on and for Everything?🤣🤣

  10. David Avatar
    David

    Here is today’s Barbados Today editorial, we all know this is a publication that is anti Mottley for whatever reason:-

    #BTEditorial – In support of Barbados on the Ross University issue
    Article by
    Barbados Today
    Published on
    August 10, 2018

    Prime Minister Mia Mottley is not the most popular person among the Dominican population at present, neither is Barbados high on the love scale.

    Since Ms Mottley announced last Friday that Barbados would be home to the American offshore medical school, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM), Dominicans – and a few Barbadians – have led the sort of onslaught on this country reserved for those who commit apostasy.

    Among them, a former Supreme Court judge, parliamentarian and cabinet minister in Trinidad and Tobago, Herbert Volney, who with the vilest, incontinent effluvium, wished the worst upon us.

    “Mia Mottley, and I pray you and Barbados do not reap the whirlwind for this act of regional treachery. As I repeat, karma is a b***h and we just have to sit back and watch it happen. Shame on Barbados,” Mr Volney wrote.

    The pain and anger that Dominicans feel at the loss of what their prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, described as a 40-year marriage, are understandable. After all, Ross University was born on Dominica, grew up there, and was part of the island’s DNA for 40 years. It had been a major contributor to a collapsing economy, which depends largely on the sale of passports. The university contributed between 30 and 40 cents in every dollar the country earned, according to various estimates.

    Therefore, a sudden break-up of the marriage after Dominica was brought to its knees by Hurricane Maria last September, must have been a shock.

    However, the object of their anger and venom is woefully misguided and unfair. Ms Mottley and the Government of Barbados have done nothing wrong in accepting Ross’ offer to move the school here. The fact is Ross University was leaving Dominica and, had Barbados turned down the offer, would likely have ended up in Trinidad and Tobago, or another Caribbean country.

    Last Friday morning, hours before Ms Mottley, and Lisa Wardell, the chief executive officer of Ross University, announced the decision, the Dominican prime minister held a news conference to advise his country of the break-up.

    “Over the last ten months we explored all options that one could think of in our discussions with Ross. At the end of the day, the officials of Ross, like any other business person, reserve and exercise the right of the shareholders and many interests to include but not limited to parents, students, faculty and sponsors,” Mr Skerrit said.

    It would seem from Mr Skerrit’s comment that RUSM had decided ten months ago that it would leave Dominica, and he appeared resigned to this fact. There is no other explanation for his comment at last week’s briefing that “we made the point to them that the 40 years of our association is not 40 days and it’s only fair that in any marriage of 40 years, that if there is to be a parting of ways, there should be at least a sharing of the fruit of those 40 years. Ross has agreed to this in principle and we are now at an advanced stage of negotiations as to how best Ross can thank Dominica for those 40 years”.

    It is beyond comprehension, therefore, that anyone aware of this can accuse the Barbados Government of declaring war, or poaching, or any misdeeds in accepting the offer to host the school, which is anticipated to bring in $100 million.

    This week Mr Skerrit’s ambassador in Washington Vince Henderson went on radio in Roseau to state – contrary to what Ms Mottley had said – that Dominica would have been ready to accept students next January.

    “It is my fervent hope that all things considered there will be a much earlier re-opening of the campus than has been indicated in your earlier communication and during your visit in April 2018,” Mr Henderson quoted Mr Skerrit as stating in a July 9 letter to Ms Wardell.

    “I wish to assure you that all the arrangements we discussed for the accreditation for Ross by the medical board have been acted upon to meet the desired expectation.”

    But something Ms Wardell said at last week’s news conference is quite instructive.

    “The decision to relocate RUSM from Dominica was complex and one we approached with great deliberation. After careful consideration of multiple options, including a review of our academic and infrastructure requirements and future plans for RUSM, we believe the move is in the long-term best interest of our RUSM community,” Ms Wardell stressed.

    This suggests there was more to the move than the hurricane, and Mr Skerrit’s key spokesman, the attorney Anthony Astaphan, alluded to one of the issues when he spoke on radio.

    “The Prime Minister [indicated] to the CEO of Ross, under the heading, International Airport and Air Access, not only did the Prime Minister indicate the plans for the international airport which would have been in the medium to long term interest to Ross, not only did he mention the weekly service between Dominica and either Fort Lauderdale or Miami, the Prime Minister gave a specific commitment to Ross that they were working . . . to resume the late afternoon departure from San Juan [and] early morning departure out of Dominica and that the government was committed to covering the airline’s overnight cost,”. Mr Astaphan said.

    Clearly, RUSM had concerns about air access, and was also familiar with promises before each of the last three or so elections, of plans for an international airport.

    There is also the issue of accreditation by the US National Committee on Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation, which Dominica last passed in 2007. It failed the last review in 2016, Barbados passed it.

    Of course, this worried Ross University, and the Dominican prime minister must have known, because the very letter from which Mr Henderson quoted made reference to the subject.

  11. David Avatar
    David

    Here Sir Ronald Sanders on the matter:

    COMMENTARY: Barbados, Dominica and Ross: Debating the wrong issue
    Dominica News Online – Friday, August 10th, 2018 at 7:10 AM

    http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Sir-Ronald-Sanders-642×428.jpg

    Sir Ronald Sanders

    (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS, and non-resident High Commissioner to Canada. The views expressed are his own)

    The debate, particularly on social media, following the decision by Ross University School of Medicine to relocate from Dominica to Barbados, is about the wrong issue.

    Instead of focussing, incorrectly as it turns out, on the belief that the Mia Mottley administration poached Ross from Dominica, the debate should centre on yet another disastrous effect of Climate Change on Caribbean countries – this time on investment.

    Ross’ principals made the decision to migrate from Dominica because, unfortunately, whereas that island has suffered repeated and destructive hurricanes, Barbados has remained outside of the main hurricane path for 65 years this year. Therefore, as an investment decision, if a business is weighing-up options in the Caribbean, it is prudent to opt for a location where hurricanes are less likely.

    After 40 years of close association with Dominica in which it benefitted from tax waivers and other incentives, none of which was threatened, Ross had little reason to consider departing Dominica, other than suffering destruction and disruption of hurricanes.

    There was no need for the Mottley administration to poach Ross. It is clear Ross itself was looking for a safer home.

    If anything, the mistake Ms. Mottley made was not explaining the details on August 3 when she and Ross’ representative announced that the University was setting-up shop in Barbados.

    Had she made the explanation on August 3 that she did on August 7, by which time toxic accusations had poisoned the Caribbean atmosphere, there may have been a clearer understanding by all. On August 7, Ms. Mottley said the following: “Barbados came into the picture, only when, for Ross University, returning to Dominica for the start of the January semester in 2019, was not an option… We enquired of Ross, whether all options and scenarios had been explored and fully exhausted. We spoke with officials of the Dominican Government who were still hopeful of a return of the school, but who conceded that a January start-up was highly unlikely given their circumstances. It was only after Dominica was ruled out for the January start-up of classes and when attention had turned to at least two other potential locations in the region, two sister Caribbean islands, that Barbados then embraced the idea of making itself available as a possible site for relocation”.

    Ross was heading out of Dominica because it had already incurred huge expenditure fulfilling its obligations to its client-students and others since September last year when the island was devastated, and because it has to hedge its bets in the future against repeated and costly recurrences of hurricane damage and destruction.

    In May 2018, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Global Centre of Excellence on Climate Adaptation organized a conference on physical climate risks and opportunities at EBRD’s headquarters in London. Discussions focused on experiences and opportunities associated with managing these risks and on how to include them in financial disclosures.

    The Bank released its recommendations for companies in a report titled, ‘Advancing TCFD Guidance on Physical Climate Risks and Opportunities.’ In it, the EBRD recommends companies to perform forward-looking risk assessments and disclose material exposure to climate hazards such as floods, water stress, extreme heat, storms and sea level rise. Publicly traded companies especially were advised to disclose the likely impact of climate change on their investment. Failure to make such a disclosure to their shareholders could result in horrendous law suits.

    So, the reality is that investment decisions are now caught-up in Climate Change. It has joined many others including the creation of refugees, the loss of territory, and threats to the existence of age-old nations.

    Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries should eschew the accusatory and unproductive hullabaloo over Ross’ decision to move from Dominica to Barbados. Instead, focus should turn to the real lesson that emerges from the event which is the imperative of ratcheting-up Caribbean efforts to fight Climate Change by confronting the governments of the profligate countries that are killing island-states and others by a thousand cuts.

    At the 2015 Paris climate summit, small island states raised their voices in unison to pressure big polluting countries to accept the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, rather than two degrees, over the pre-industrial level. But those were words on paper; quickly forgotten and in one case completely abandoned. Temperatures are already at 1 degree Celsius and heading rapidly toward two degrees.

    I recall well the fretfulness of a former Prime Minister of Kiribati, Sir Ieremia Tabai, who served with me on the Eminent Persons Group that produced a report on Commonwealth reform in 2011. He desperately wanted to find a major investor for a hotel in Kiribati. Today, Kiribati has had to purchase about eight square miles on the Fijian island of Vanua Levu for a little less than $9 million, potentially to move its population there one day. Sir Ieremia’s nation is facing extinction.

    There has been too much hot air and too little action over Climate Change. By now every small island state should have had a Minister of Government and a department dedicated to fighting this issue every day and everywhere. It is the region’s greatest challenge.

    The Green Climate Fund has been more a repository of dreams and illusion than of reality and delivery. Right now, the Fund has just over $1 billion left to allocate from its start-up donations. There is no agreement on how money will be delivered and what its priorities will be.

    The World Bank Group delivered $20.5 billion in climate-related finance in the last fiscal year, but while that helps to build climate resilience in some states, it does nothing to stop or even to curb the disregard that is driving the destructive forces of Climate Change.

    Last September at the United Nations, Dominica’s Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, declared: “We are shouldering the consequences of the actions of others. There is little time left for action. While the big countries talk, the small island nations suffer. We need action and we need it now.”

    Dominica has just experienced yet another blow from Climate Change – investment, too, is not secure and it has nothing to do with poaching.

    There is another Climate Conference in December in Bangkok. Caribbean countries should raise the banner, bang the drum, and rail against the coming of the night between now and then.

    Responses and previous commentaries: http://www.sirronaldsanders.com

  12. David Avatar
    David

    Not sure what prime minister Gaston Brown is saying here:

    Antigua PM offers to help Dominica deal with Ross issue
    Dominica News Online – Friday, August 10th, 2018 at 8:54 AM

    http://dominicanewsonline.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GB-642×361.jpg
    Gaston Browne

    The Gaston Browne led administration in Antigua and Barbuda has said that it is willing to assist Dominica as it grapples with the loss of the Ross University School of Medicine.
    The medical school, which operated in the north of the island for forty years, announced last week that it is leaving for good and will be relocating to Barbados.
    Browne, in a statement last night, said his government was willing to provide incentives that would enable Dominica to remain attractive to Ross University.
    “Antigua and Barbuda recognises the monumental role played by Ross University in the economy of Dominica and the move will impact; even in the short-term, employment, foreign exchange earnings and air arrivals,” Browne said.
    One of the incentives outlined by Browne is the lowering or complete elemination of transit taxes.
    Browne was referring to the Ross University students heading to Dominica from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada who would have to pay transit fees in Antigua.
    He said his government is willing to forego these fees to assist Dominica.
    Another suggestion from Browne is that Ross University and the government of Dominica to enter into an agreement so that the university can remain on the nature island.
    “There is every responsibility owed by Ross to engage in a win win outcome by maintaining operations in Dominica while expanding and diversifying it’s market operations to an additional CARICOM state,” he said.
    But, if the University should remain true to its latest pronouncements, Browne said his government is willing to keep its borders opened to welcome Dominicans who are severely impacted by the university’s departure.
    He said “Antigua and Barbuda knows the pain which the workers and other breadwinners in Dominica will feel…especially the business owners which offer goods and services”.
    Additionally, Browne believes that an another downturn in the country’s economy coupled with the freedom of movement cannot be helpful to the cause of regional integration.
    And because of that, Browne said his country will do its part to assist Dominicans who may want to make Antigua and Barbuda their home.
    He ended his statement by saying that Antigua and Barbuda has never shirked its responsibility to extend assistance to Dominica in times of distress.
    In September last year, Dominica was severely affected by Hurricane Maria.
    That category 5 hurricane destroyed infrastructure forcing the closure of several businesses in an around the island, including Portsmouth, where Ross University was based.

  13. Tron Avatar
    Tron

    Barbados had Hurricane Chris for 10 years. When he came he was hot and wet and when he left he took houses and cars with him. Like the spouse after divorce.

    So who is worse off: Dominica or Barbados?

  14. David Avatar
    David

    Text version of statement: http://gisbarbados.gov.bb/download/statement-by-the-hon-mia-amor-mottley-qc-mp-on-the-ross-university-school-of-medicine-relocating-to-barbados/?wpdmdl=508999

  15. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Self-justification.

  16. David Avatar
    David

    Sometimes the best way to deal with a matter is to put it on the table to expose the ignorance and or mischief.

    Fact one, ROSS intended to relocate.

    Fact two, Ross staying in the region benefits Dominica indirectly because the possibility existed Ross could have relocated outside the Caricom region.

  17. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Wrong is Wrong there is a moral persuasion that should prick the heart of any caring person who have seen or read about the devastation caused by the Hurricane
    Mottley in essence put self interset above a moral right that lends itself to humanity and what is right and proper
    The people of Dominica are angry because they feel they have been betrayed by a sister nation who called itself a friend
    Taking away 30% of a country GDP is tantamount to treason
    How would Barbados govt react if placed in the same situation given the same circumstances
    How would Barbados govt react if all Caricom nations refused accepting / buy serviceable products from barbados
    I meaning one cannot expect to sow the wind and not reap the whirlwind
    The fact that another poor island has stepped in and lend support to Dominca is a tell tale sign that Barbados is being placed under a microscope in search of deception

  18. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    David

    This brings me back to an earlier post I made about a “Caricom Economy”. Dominica is clearly uncompetitive as a location for an offshore school of this scale in 2018 when the internationalisation of capital us fully embedded in the global economy. Fact! This matter highlights the pressing need for a more strategic approach by Caricom to foreign investment. The competition-based approach needs to be replaced by one built on complementarity abd focused on individual member states’ endowments whether natural or historical. Again, Barbados or Brazil?
    As for Volney, he’s rather familiar with karma. The man went from the bench to minister of justice to facing a re-election (for crossing the floor), which he lost, in a blink. He’s now irrelevant, most known for Section 34 and a dubious court decision involving murder.

  19. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Fact 3. How about the concessions
    When will the barbados public get to see and know how much of the taxpayers monies were used to relocate Ross here
    We all here the excuse about the hurricane
    However a good read of the editorials coming out of Dominica suggest that Mottley concession was large

  20. David Avatar
    David

    PM Mottley to her credit mentions the need for a joint Caricom investment approach which would allow the region to deal with the Sandals and others in a way that does not allow for advantage taking. The blogmaster reaffirms that the relocation of ROSS to Barbados is a non point, even the ICU DLP and other local political parties have not raised this as an issue. However, we have a few disgruntled and ill informed Bajans who as usual jump on the anti Mia bandwagon. This is where Bajans and others in the region differ, some issues you line up behind country.

  21. David Avatar
    David

    Now you are shifting to the concessions argument? What was your position under the DLP administration when the question was being asked about concession? Do you recall how you responded to Adrian’s questioning of Butch Stewart at the BCCI luncheon? Should we go to the archives? Your credibility is so porous!

  22. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    David (BU),

    I will explain this so that even you will understand. The decision by Ross University was one for its board to take in the interest of its stakeholders. And it had a right to approach the government of Barbados. But it does not mean that the government of Barbados should entertain them.
    We are now speculating, but given the intensity with which Dominica wanted to hold on to Ross, it would have been obvious that they would have offered incentives to them to stay. The fact that they did not means, almost certainly, that Barbados offered even better incentives. The reason for this conclusion is the one about the Ross board making a decision in the best interest of its stakeholders.
    The other conclusion that they simply find Barbados a better business environment does not stand up since they have been in Dominica for 40 years and Barbados was where it is for all those years. Why now?
    David (BU) please repeat what you have been told until you remember it, this is what learning by rote is all about.

  23. David Avatar
    David

    You should email your comment to Sir Ronald Sanders.

    Instead of focussing, incorrectly as it turns out, on the belief that the Mia Mottley administration poached Ross from Dominica, the debate should centre on yet another disastrous effect of Climate Change on Caribbean countries – this time on investment…Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries should eschew the accusatory and unproductive hullabaloo over Ross’ decision to move from Dominica to Barbados. Instead, focus should turn to the real lesson that emerges from the event which is the imperative of ratcheting-up Caribbean efforts to fight Climate Change by confronting the governments of the profligate countries that are killing island-states and others by a thousand cuts.

  24. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    No! I am not shifting any thing the article ask the question about concessions given to Ross
    Previously on other blogs i asked the same
    No it seems as if you David would allow this govt to do as it dam please and all should accept
    Now what about the concessions given to Ross by Mottley
    Mottley ran on a campagain strategy of Transparency now wants to hide between PR stunts to spoon feed the masses a load of pablum
    Everything this govt done so far that affects the taxpayers pocketbook has not been transparent starting with the taxwriteoffs and now the Ross relocation with an obviuos taxpayers money attached

  25. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Ronald Sanders is an intellectual fraud. He punches above his weight. I am never sure why Caribbean newspapers give him space. Ignore him. Most of his arguments, including this climate change one, are bogus. This is an argument about the Kantian categorical imperative – ie doing the right thing regardless.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    He is an intellectual fraud because you say so. Good, matter closed.

  27. David Avatar
    David

    The blogmaster just had a look at Herbert Volney’s Facebook page, it is called “The Dominica Page Moderated by Herbert Volney“. He clearly has skin in the game.

  28. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Sorry, but this is not the first time I have pointed this out. I also did on Barbados Today a long time ago. I do not expect you to read and understand what he says, but try. He bluffs, but that will appeal to you.

  29. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Now all are seeing why past and former members of the blp spoke ill of Mia using derogatory terms like megalomaniac and devil dressed in white
    Now Dominicans have added their own terminology calling Mia a backstabber and thief
    Never in the history of Barbados politics has such terms be used by another sister nation to describe a barbados PM Never ! and unheard of
    What a f..ing disgrace that the blp yardfowls and. David are willing to embrace

  30. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    What should REALLY scare us all is the reality that two people could be so stupid …and unashamedly ignorant – at this point in our educational history.
    At least Mariposa uses a pen name and so, to an extent, insulates her/himself from the blatant shiite being espoused, but how on God’s earth can someone use their given slave name and continue to spout such jobby…?

    Oh Wait!!!
    This is the same man that meticulously explained to us on this blog how he and his poor wife were scammed (in a child-like scheme) of their savings in an effort to buy an underhand time-share arrangement? …information which he willingly shared with the public in an effort (apparently) to demonstrate how smart he was…..??!!

    The Ross university move is an excellent one for Barbados, and it keeps the business in the region.
    It is yet another hard blow for Dominica from last year’s devastating hurricanes.

    Only a COMPLETE IDIOT can fail to see that STUDENTS, PARENTS, Faculty and INVESTORS, will now be quite reluctant to resume studies in Dominica after such an experience.
    Shiite!! even some DOMINICANS are shell shocked, ….and not keen to resume life as it was before 2017.

    Get a damn life do!!!

    If Mia was REALLY smart she would lease the UWI campus to Ross and let them run the damn place. If wunna could sell BS&T, Bartel, BL&P and BNB – why not sell the useless UWI which has been contributing nothing but clerks and shiite-bloggers to the island now for decades….. What you say Miller…? 🙂

    What a stupid topic to seek to make into an anti -Mia argument….. when there are so many OTHER areas that need to be pursued…

    Like…
    How the hell after a WHOLE month, can it be possible for the STUPID, MORONIC “tipping fee” introduced by the colossal IDIOT Chris Stinkliar be still in effect?
    On what basis would this be allowed after even a week of BLP winning office?

  31. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    Hal dont pay David any mind his moral compass is broken and so are the other names he mentions there morals only lend itself to self interest
    They would never see or understand the humanatarian cries of the Dominican people as it relates to Ross relocating
    Those intelluctual snobs like Sanders money is all that matters
    To hell with the needs and concerns of the poor and downtrodden

  32. David Avatar
    David

    How was your moral compass when former Speaker MICHAEL CARRINGTON had to be ordered by the High Court of Barbados to pay a 70 year old wheel chair man his money? An our dear loving prime minster at the time FREUNDEL STUART saw no reason to discipline him? The party paid the ultimate price for the folly.

    You are a hypocrite?

  33. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    Mia is no saint and most of you know that I have spent a lot of time pointing that out. However, this time around, I am struggling to understand what she has done wrong in this case when I consider the factual information that is in the public domain.

    The board of Ross University took a decision to relocate their operations from Dominica. My understanding is that Ross approached Barbados. If Barbados had said no, would that have changed the decision of Ross’ board? I think not. Ross would simply have relocated to another jurisdiction and Barbados would have lost out on a significant investment that it desperately needs.

    With the information available to me, I do not see how Mia could be accused of wrongdoing in this case. But she has only herself to blame which is borne out in the old Bajan saying: “When a dog does suck eggs”.

  34. Mariposa Avatar
    Mariposa

    All wunna that support Mia aggression against the Dominican people would most likely throw wunna mother out of her home and into the streets if that action support yuh own self interst
    Yuh all just a bunch of selfish turds

  35. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Mariposa,

    David is basically nice. As I have said before, he is a product of the educational system of learning by rote. If David were to make these submissions under a pseudonym, ie as Cocoa Tea, I would ignore him, but as captain of the ship his words carry weight.
    I would suggest to him that when analysing what someone says, he should go through it line by line and think it through. But David is very deferential: if you have a PhD, are a lawyer, MBA, a so-called political scientist, or have an MA in something called political sociology, son or daughter of heritage, etc, he is highly influenced. I suggest he should ignore the names and look at the arguments.
    Some intellectual fraud comes on the blog to claim that the real issue regarding Ross is climate change ie as if climate change affects only the economies of Barbados and Dominica, that it is not a global phenomenon, impacting every nation in the world – hot summers and cold winters, floods and wild fires, tsunamis and desertification. As if this frivolous argument has its own internal logic. Of course that is a debate that we should have, but this is not it. It is bogus.
    Instead of being objective and letting people argue out their positions, as usual David (BU) jumps in, and again on the wrong side. Nice but simple.

  36. David Avatar
    David

    What is there to understand about your point if it is one? You are objecting to the government’s decision based on some obscure ethical position. This is your right and get this, it does NOT make you right.

    The other point, David is the blogmaster of Barbados Underground and he is free to offer an opinion on any matter posted.

    capiche?

  37. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    I rest my case.

  38. David Avatar
    David

    You should, why dont you address Senator Franklyn’s recent comment which agrees with the blogmaster? Is he lacking in understanding as well?

  39. Hal Austin Avatar
    Hal Austin

    Deference again.

  40. James Greene Avatar
    James Greene

    MAM has more balls than a lot of the men pretending to be leading their countries. Browne is a self serving prick and Skerritt is lightweight.

    the only thing MAM could have done differently was to inform Skerritt that Bim having been approached by Ross will take up the offer.

    all i can say is ” You go girl” to MAM

    in any case all this protestation means jackshit: It is a deal done

  41. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    The BWA GM should be fired.

    $3.7m failure

    ALEX DOWNES, alexdownes@nationnews.com

    Added 10 August 2018

    http://www.nationnews.com/IMG/703/84703/keithroy-halliday-and-wilfred-abrahams-0810184752-450×303.gif?1533919716

    keithroy-halliday-and-wilfred-abrahams-081018

    Minsiter of Water Resource Management Wilfred Abrahams (right) and Barbados Water Authority general manager Keithroy Halliday. (FILE)

    All is not well with the South Coast sewage crisis.
    Related articles

    25 new oil wells since 2009
    Estwick allays water contamination…
    Another sewage solution

    Despite effluent being off the street for the last two months, Minister of Water Resources Wilfred Abrahams has revealed that the long-touted solution of the injection wells has failed.

    Not only this, but Abrahams has also revealed that the six wells recently built at the South Coast Sewage Treatment Plant for a cost of $3.7 million were not even really injection wells at all, but were simply “disposal wells”.

    Worse yet, the minister explained that the Barbados Water Authority (BWA) does not know how deep these disposal wells actually are, nor their capacity, as there had been no written contracts found for their construction under the previous administration.

    Abrahams also announced plans for the two-month-long construction of a $2.4 million outfall one kilometre off the coast of Worthing Beach, scheduled to start within two weeks. (AD)

    Please read the full story in the Saturday Sun, or in the eNATION edition.

  42. David Avatar
    David

    @James Greene

    You watched PM Mottley’s video reply? She has Skerritt on her WhatsApp.

  43. Georgie Porgie Avatar
    Georgie Porgie

    RE Some intellectual fraud comes on the blog to claim that the real issue regarding Ross is climate change ie as if climate change affects only the economies of Barbados and Dominica, that it is not a global phenomenon, impacting every nation in the world – hot summers and cold winters, floods and wild fires, tsunamis and desertification. As if this frivolous argument has its own internal logic. Of course that is a debate that we should have, but this is not it. It is bogus.

    CLEARLY THERE IS MERIT IN WHAT AUSTIN SAYS HERE

    THE FACT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO HURRICANES IN BARBADOS SINCE 1955 MEANS ONLY THE GOD HAS BEEN MERCIFUL TO BARBADOS, NOT THAT BARBADOS IS ESSENTIALLY A BETTER PLACE CLIMATE WISE.

    WHAT HAPPENS THEN, TO ROSS, IF NEXT YEAR A SEVERE HURRICANE SHOULD BE EXPERIENCED BY BARBADOS?

    IT IS SAD, HOWEVER, THAT ROSS SHOULD HAVE TO LEAVE DOMINICA, BECAUSE BACK IN 78 WHEN ROSS APPROACHED THE HEADS OF GOVERNMENTS, AT THAT MEETING IN JAMAICA, ONLY THE PM OF DOMINICA WAS INTERESTED.

  44. John Avatar
    John

    Here is the problem with climate change, it happens every year!!!

    One could almost be excused for not noticing.

    Last year, Roosevelt Skerritt made his way to the UN and delivered a speech on climate change after the devastation of Dominica.

    At the time I think it was Maria that had done the damage and it was described to the UN as the worst hurricane ever.

    Except it wasn’t.

    Dominica is just in the wrong place.

    We have three advantages neither of which saved us from the ravages of weather.

    Location, location and location.

    The same Ivan that devastated Grenada also hit us hard before barreling into Grenada, and Janet, wiped out Nutmeg production in Grenada.

    Ivan caused the University in Grenada to relocate for a while.

    Grenada is as safe if not safer than Barbados most years.

    Dominica is not.

    I’ll dig up the comment I posted back then to describe Dominica’s unfortunate position and why it isn’t climate change that is causing its predicament.

    St. Vincent is also another relatively “safe” location ….. except for old Ralph and his pork barrel politriks!!

    …. and of course we could look at what has really changed the “investment” climate in the Caribbean …. “The Panama Papers”!!

  45. John Avatar
    John

    Despite effluent being off the street for the last two months, Minister of Water Resources Wilfred Abrahams has revealed that the long-touted solution of the injection wells has failed.

    +++++++++++++++++++

    NUTS was the comment of my Geologist friend at the time!!

  46. James Greene Avatar
    James Greene

    it seems to me that Skerritt knew what was going to happen all along: Ross was leaving Dom.. he is only keeping noise to save face and well the overture by Browne is just that: some ill defined self serving nonsense.

    then again they advised by the same Cabal, so good for them

  47. A. Dullard Avatar
    A. Dullard

    @Blogmaster David

    Why did you create a blog to further prolong this non-issue?

    A straightforward business decision was made to relocate a business from Dominica to Barbados, mostly driven from the ill effects of a major storm. Plus Barbados with all its faults, is still a better place to conduct business than most Caricom countries.

    In fact, I think the debate is totally misplaced. The issue is this.

    Why should an off shore medical school be generating between 30% and 40 % of the GDP of an independent sovereign nation? PM Skerritt should really be asking himself some tough questions.

  48. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Volney went to Cave Hill.

    “Volney was the third of eight children born to St Lucian Cyril Volney and his Dominican wife, Rosalind, on June 8, 1953,

    at Plymouth in Montserrat. He was educated at primary schools in Antigua, Barbados, St Kitts and Dominica,

    attended St Mary’s Academy in Dominica and then the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies.”

  49. John Avatar
    John

    https://barbadosunderground.net/2017/09/23/barbados-environmental-double-standards/

    https://books.google.com/books?id=NUrOfm9zt0gC&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=barbados+hurricane+1780+grove&source=bl&ots=orubTM5-re&sig=XhSx3EczNr3ENKRxJVHvVMebSxA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiehM7P97zWAhXE6CYKHQVKAOAQ6AEINTAC#v=onepage&q=barbados%20hurricane%201780%20grove&f=false

    It is clear that Whosoever put us where we are and Dominica where it is must have a lot of power!

    … but every now and again, we get a nudge which with less intelligent people with no access to science would mean something!!

    As intelligent as we supposedly are, we just can’t seem to figure out simple things!!

  50. David Avatar
    David

    @A.Dullard

    The reason was explained above, it is better to confront nonsense than to ignore it sometimes. Also the blogmaster has no issue with appeasing the DLP cohort on the blog.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

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