administration staff will vastly improve once a new president has been appointed.

In an in-depth interview with leading businessman Jan Spiering, the new head of the board said he understood why College staff were feeling uncertain, but said he hoped that would all change very soon.

Mr. Spiering, managing partner at Ernst & Young, spoke to The Royal Gazette about how he felt as the new chairman of the Island's college, and about the highs and lows he had experienced so far.

He took over in January, replacing former chairman and Minister Without Portfolio Randy Horton, and has so far come up against a number of challenges, including low morale and possible strike action by lecturers over new contracts.

Mr. Spiering admitted that the job of chairman was a greater task than he had expected, but said he was enjoying every minute of it.

He said: "The role is more time consuming than I initially thought it would be.

"I would say it takes up about eight or ten hours a week.

"The amount of issues that have had to be dealt with in the college has been a bit of a surprise.

"We currently have an under-manned executive and so the board members have been more involved than we would have liked.

"From the outset, we said that we were there to set direction, and the executive would manage the college. But it has not worked out quite like that.

Once we are fully staffed, that will happen.'' But Mr. Spiering said there had also been many "nice surprises'', including the dedication and commitment of the staff.

He added: "I knew there was huge potential in the college, but did not realise just what that potential was.

"Morale is in need of improvement, I realise that. But I think in institutions, morale is good when everybody clearly sees where the institution is going -when they have a feeling of open communication and an ability to participate, and when they have a leadership in place that they respect and can discuss with, and can have some input with.

"Currently we have an acting president and with that is all the strains on everybody. We have an executive that is understaffed and we have a new chairman and a new board in place. But I think everything will begin to improve soon once things settle down.'' He said what he had tried to do since taking over was open the lines of communication between himself, management and workers, giving them an opportunity to air grievances and make suggestions.

However, he said when ever communication re-opens after a time of silence, it is normal for managers to be overwhelmed with complaints.

He added: "Initially, you go through a period of uncertainty and concern.

Receiving lots of information at first is a bit overwhelming, and a lot of grievances are aired, especially if there have been changes.

"I think in the past, the perception was that concerns did not get addressed very well, and there are some issues that people felt did not get addressed with the speed they would have liked.

"Whether that is true or not, I don't know, but the perception is there.

"We aim to make sure that people's concerns are addressed, and as soon as possible. But it takes time for people to realise that.'' The board is currently looking for an interim president to replace Dr. George Cook who left in February.

Dr. Larita Alford, who started last July as vice-president, is acting president until a suitable candidate is found.

The plan is to bring in a president with strong administrative skills, who is able to implement changes, for a three-year period to help turn the college around and prepare it for pastures new.

During that time, the board will be looking for a strong academic leader, who can steer the college on to greater things, once the changes are in place.

However, it is expected that the two may work together for a time to ensure the transition is smooth.

But Mr. Spiering has refused to comment on claims that former outspoken vice-president Dr. Donald Peters is hoping to make a return to the Island as the new interim president.

He left last June with an $85,000 pay-off after his contract was brought to an end six months early.

Before he left the Island to take up a new job in the US, he called for the Education Ministry to be disbanded, claiming that it provided a sub-standard education.

And he accused some staff at the college of being lazy, and of wining and dining on college property, as well as claiming that the college was unable to run effectively because at the time decisions were made with political bias.

Educators across the Island, including Mr. Spiering, have refused to speak on Dr. Peters' application, and it remains to be seen how welcome it will be.

But so far, applications have been submitted from as far afield as the UK, US and Canada, as well as from within Bermuda.

But, who ever does take over the top job will be destined for changing times.

Mr. Spiering said the college was aiming to become more involved in the community, especially the business world, and more relevant to the needs of the Island.

That may mean more emphasis being placed on business, such as accountancy, law, insurance, engineering and architecture, and could lead to partnerships being formed with firms on the Island.

Businesses are being surveyed on what they would like to see at the college, and what role they could play.

It could lead to a greater number of degree or half-degree courses being offered, better links with overseas institutions, more scholarships for students to study abroad, and even additional financing for the college.

But most importantly, it aims to make the college more relevant to the needs of Bermuda.

"I think we need a structure in place to enable us to be aware of all of our stake holders, including the taxpayer,'' said the chairman.

"The workplace is changing all the time, so we need an infrastructure in place that is attuned to what the business community wants on an ongoing basis.'' "Let's take partnering. If the numbers on a particular course have fallen and are no longer what they were five years ago, then we have a situation where maybe it's no longer cost effective.

"But we need a partnership in place where students wanting to do that course can get a scholarship to go overseas. That is just one example of the things we could do.

"I think foremost, we would like to see the college become a community college, representing all of the needs of the community. That means questioning all of our stake holders in Bermuda. Everyone must play a part and be involved.'' And the feedback so far from the business community alone has been tremendous, he said.

"We have had comments that businesses are very excited at the prospect of working with the college.

"Some have very high training budgets. Overseas training is not very cost effective and, if there is a means of ensuring that they could partner with the college, then they see this as a huge opportunity.'' But, Mr. Spiering knows it will be a gradual process, not only for the college, but the staff, as well.

"There will definitely be a much more clear understanding of where the college is going and what is expected of people once we have a fully-manned executive.

"We have the plans, and we are working on them, and once we have a new president in place, things will really start to move.

"I know morale is low, but it will build up again. People do not like change, but the new world is moving too fast, and Bermuda, including its college, must move with it.'' However, it is expected that the two may work together for a time to ensure the transition is smooth.

But Mr. Spiering has refused to comment on claims that former outspoken vice-president Dr. Donald Peters is hoping to make a return to the Island as the new interim president.

He left last June with an $85,000 pay-off after his contract was brought to an end six months early.

Before he left the Island to take up a new job in the US, he called for the Education Ministry to be disbanded, claiming that it provided a sub-standard education.

And he accused some staff at the college of being lazy, and of wining and dining on college property, as well as claiming that the college was unable to run effectively because at the time decisions were made with political bias.

Educators across the Island, including Mr. Spiering, have refused to speak on Dr. Peters' application, and it remains to be seen how welcome it will be.

But so far, applications have been submitted from as far afield as the UK, US and Canada, as well as from within Bermuda.

But, who ever does take over the top job will be destined for changing times.

Mr. Spiering said the college was aiming to become more involved in the community, especially the business world, and more relevant to the needs of the Island.

That may mean more emphasis being placed on business, such as accountancy, law, insurance, engineering and architecture, and could lead to partnerships being formed with firms on the Island.

Businesses are being surveyed on what they would like to see at the college, and what role they could play.

It could lead to a greater number of degree or half-degree courses being offered, better links with overseas institutions, more scholarships for students to study abroad, and even additional financing for the college.

But most importantly, it aims to make the college more relevant to the needs of Bermuda.

"I think we need a structure in place to enable us to be aware of all of our stake holders, including the taxpayer,'' said the chairman.

"The workplace is changing all the time, so we need an infrastructure in place that is attuned to what the business community wants on an on-going basis.'' "Let's take partnering. If the numbers on a particular course have fallen and are no longer what they were five years ago, then we have a situation where maybe it's no longer cost effective.

"But we need a partnership in place where students wanting to do that course can get a scholarship to go overseas. That is just one example of the things we could do.

"I think foremost, we would like to see the college become a community college, representing all of the needs of the community. That means questioning all of our stake holders in Bermuda. Everyone must play a part and be involved.'' And the feedback so far from the business community alone has been tremendous, he said.

"We have had comments that businesses are very excited at the prospect of working with the college.

"Some have very high training budgets. Overseas training is not very cost effective and, if there is a means of ensuring that they could partner with the college, then they see this as a huge opportunity.'' But, Mr. Spiering knows it will be a gradual process, not only for the college, but the staff, as well.

"There will definitely be a much more clear understanding of where the college is going and what is expected of people once we have a fully-manned executive.

"We have the plans, and we are working on them, and once we have a new president in place, things will really start to move.

"I know morale is low, but it will build up again. People do not like change, but the new world is moving too fast, and Bermuda, including its college, must move with it.''