Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Morrison

A death threat was reportedly made on the life of University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) president, Professor Errol Morrison, this week, after information from a financial audit report which contained queries was circulated to the media.

According to a release from UTech yesterday, Morrison received the death threat on Tuesday from an anonymous telephone caller who made reference to an issue raised in a newspaper article.

"The University Council and executive management are taking this matter very seriously and are pursuing all steps to resolve this matter as required by law," read a release from Hector Wheeler, director of communications at UTech.

The audit report, which was commissioned by Dr Blossom O'Meally-Nelson, former pro-chancellor of UTech, outlined overexpenditure on transport and accommodation for Morrison.

Inaccuracies clarified

Wheeler said the inaccuracies in the report had been clarified and all the issues raised had been adequately addressed since October last year.

"Council investigated the matters raised in the report and was satisfied that there were no financial breaches or impropriety and, in fact, found that the president was undercompensated, based on the terms of his contract," said Wheeler.

He said the university stood in full support of the president and regretted any embarrassment and inconvenience caused to Morrison and his family and looked forward to the restoration of normalcy.

According to Wheeler, the university administration subsequently met to review the turn of events and took a number of steps.

"The threat was immediately reported to the police and an internal investigation was commissioned to discover the means by which confidentiality was breached," Wheeler said.

"In keeping with procedures for dealing with matters of this nature and in accordance with the labour-relations laws, staff members in the Internal Audit Unit were sent on leave to facilitate investigation of the unauthorised release of the confidential documents," said Wheeler.

He said additional measures had been implemented to improve security at the university and for its staff members.

Morrison was said to be off the island on prearranged university business yesterday.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com

Students from Clan Carthy High School perform a dance at the University of Technology in Papine, St Andrew yesterday. The university is celebrating its 50th anniversary. - Norman Grindley/ Deputy Chief Photographer