PETER O'SULLIVAN, the student services manager of Taylor Hall at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, is to spearhead an independent team mandated to investigate possible irregularities within the Guild of Students at the tertiary institution.

Mr. O'Sullivan and his team were summoned last week after a sub-committee of the Guild of Students asked the UWI to investigate claims of corruption.

The annual guild elections, which have been a platform for persons entering representational politics at the national level, were thrown into a tailspin following claims of financial irregularities made against at least one member of the guild last month.

Guildelections tomorrow

A fracas broke out after the accusations were levelled, causing an abrupt end to the debates which are used by candidates to attract potential voters.

The UWI was also forced to postpone the election from March 27 to tomorrow, April 10.

Fifteen candidates were subsequently scratched from the ballot for their role in the fracas but the UWI on Thursday said there would also be a review of the candidates whose nominations were rescinded.

In an April 5 advisory to students, the UWI said it "will be initiating disciplinary procedures with respect to the conduct of students who displayed inappropriate behaviour at the guild debate".

It is not the first time that allegations of financial irregularities within the Guild of Students have been raised, but heads have rarely rolled.

Audits of the accounts of the Guild of Students are usually done yearly, with outgoing treasurers required to complete accounts of income and expenditure, and to present the university's management audit department with a report.

An audit of the accounts usually takes place afterwards, but those exercises, in some instances, are not completed until after a succeeding committee has also demitted office.

Funds under the control of the guild are normally upwards of $10 million. This represents money recovered from guild fees paid by each registered student to the university; revenue from fund-raisers; and, allowances from the institution, which go toward the guild's Needy Student Fund and to pay for a bus service supplied by the guild.