Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer
PORTLAND:
TENSIONS WERE high yesterday at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) in Portland, following a Supreme Court ruling that the school's administration is to release all student council funds with immediate effect.
The student council body filed two motions in the Supreme Court last year which involved the freezing of student council funds, and the unlawful interference in student council elections by the college administration.
The Supreme Court ruled in favour of the student council on February 9, stating that there was a breach of its constitution and of the education regulations of 1980.
But yesterday Student Council president Kevin Williams claimed CASE has been unwilling to abide by the ruling.
"We have tried our best to reason with the administration for them to adhere to the ruling of the Supreme Court," Mr. Williams said. "Our efforts have been ignored and because of that we were forced to ask a senior counsel (attorney) to come on campus to address the matter, in an attempt that good sense will prevail."
Attorney-at-law Marvalyn Taylor-Wright told The Gleaner yesterday that she has received instructions from the student council to make an application for contempt proceedings to be effected immediately.
CONTEMPT OF COURT ORDER
"A note of application court order, supported by affidavit evidence is to be filed," Mrs. Taylor-Wright said. "I will also ask the court for an order that the administration authorities, in particular (CASE President) Dr. Paul Ivy, and directors of student affairs, are in contempt of the court order."
Dr. Ivy told The Gleaner yesterday that he did not wish to comment on the matter at this time but that normality has returned to the campus.
There are reports that classes were suspended early due to the unrest, and there was uncertainty as to whether they would resume today.
