Dr Nadeen Spence, the Students Services and Development Manager for Mary Seacole Hall at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, has strongly denied reports that she was involved in an altercation with a male student from Chancellor Hall that saw a gun being drawn and students demanding her resignation.

A protest took place on the grounds of the Mona campus yesterday evening (February 19) that saw students from both the Mary Seacole Hall and Chancellor Hall demanding Spence be removed from her post.

Spence, according to allegations, made “disparaging” and “disrespectful” comments to students assigned to Chancellor Hall during a sports day event on campus yesterday, after claiming that a student should have been disqualified following a 4x400m race.

Our Today spoke with Shaquille Ramsay, deputy hall chairperson for Chancellor Hall today (February 20), who was present during the alleged incident. He claimed Spence called the students “stupid, dunce and women beaters”.

Ramsay added that another student, Fabian Morris, reportedly questioned why Spence was under the tent for officials of the race and was threatened by a resident assistant (RA) to repeat the question, “if yuh bad”. Morris repeated the question.

After that interaction, it is reported that two men, who referred to Spence as their mother, assaulted the deputy chair of Chancellor Hall, mistaking him for Morris. A gun was allegedly drawn and the security guard for Chancellor Hall was called. Ramsay shared that the two men denied having a gun, but the gun was reportedly later found and carried to the Campus police.

Dr Spence denies involvement

When contacted by Our Today today, Spence said: “I wasn’t even there. No altercation took place between me and a Chancellorite.”

Despite Spence’s denial of any involvement in the incident, Ramsay stood by his claim that Spence was present at the event and made derogatory comments to students. He also demanded her resignation.

“She cannot be trusted anymore and has compromised her integrity,” said Ramsay.

The protest comes amid reports that Spence is being considered to replace Rosalee Gage Grey as chief executive officer of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).

Gage Grey was booted after reports that she allowed a child predator to have access to children, despite knowledge that he was involved in inappropriate behaviour with minors.

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