UCC would not compromise on discipline - Registrar

The Registrar of the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Mr Kofi Ohene stated that the action taken by the Academic Board against nine students for their involvement in the March 31 demonstration, was to ensure that discipline at the UCC was not compromised.

The nine students have been identified as "having led and taken active part" in the demonstration, which was staged in protest against the UCC's examination grading system during the 31st congregation ceremony.

Eight of the students, who are in the final year, were to have the award of their degrees withheld for three academic years and would have their examinations results considered at the end of the 2003/2004 academic year.

The ninth student, who is in the third year, has been suspended for two academic years to return to campus during the 2002/2003 academic year.

The sanctions were to be implemented after the end of the second semester examinations.

Mr Ohene stated these in a release issued at Cape Coast on the demonstration and measures taken to bring offending students to book.

The statement said the Board found the demonstration to be a "clear violation" of the demonstration, rallies, assemblies and processions (DRAP) regulations and of an undertaking signed by the students during the 1999/2000 academic year.

"These decisions had been taken by the academic Board against the backdrop of possible student agitation and with a view not only to ensure that the academic year was not disrupted but also to ensure that discipline at the university was not compromised."

The Registrar noted it was the view of the Board that the demonstration, which was staged in spite of assurances from the student leadership, brought the name of the university into disrepute and caused embarrassment to the numerous visitors and that it was " unnecessary for them to misconduct themselves if all they wanted to do was hand in a petition to the guest speaker".

The statement said the nine students, were originally to be dismissed according to a recommendation by the Executive Committee of the Board and the 'University-wide Disciplinary Committee following investigations into the disturbances by an ad-hoc committee.

However, after discussing the full implications of that recommendation, it was decided to withhold the results of the final year students and suspend the third year student instead.

He warned that similar sanctions would be imposed on any other student, who would be identified later, as having been involved in the demonstration.

Some students of the University, led by Mr Frank Annor-Dompreh, President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), on March 31 staged a demonstration, which momentarily disrupted the congregation ceremony.