Bush re-names schools

| 03/08/2011

(CNS): Both the country’s university and the law school will soon have new monikers as a result of a decision by the premier to re-name the educational institutions after two of Cayman’s veteran politicians and ministers. University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) will be named after Benson Ebanks and the Law School for Truman Bodden. Announcing that both the new titles had been approved by Cabinet just yesterday (Tuesday), Bush also revealed to the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday that he intended to name the new government administration building after a prominent civil servant and the Gerrard Smith Airport in Cayman Brac after Capt Charles Kirkconnell.

He said public buildings should be named after Caymanians that had something to do with them and after people who were still alive so they could enjoy it. The premier said the re-naming of public buildings and institutions was part of the nation building programme but also a way to honour people who had played a relevant part in them.

Explaining his decision to rename UCCI the Benson O Ebanks College, Bush said the institution started life as the Community College in 1971 and it was well recognised that the college took large strides during the time Ebanks was education minister.

“The college has grown from strength to strength, in the course of time making a huge impact for the good in the Cayman Islands and beyond,” Bush said, adding that it was fitting to name the college for him and formal steps would be taken to do it shortly.

Truman Bodden, who was also an education minister, was influenced by his own professional interest in the law. The premier said that Bodden had a great deal to do with the setting up of the Cayman Islands Law School, which was founded in 1982. “This institution has long proven its worth in the legal fraternity of the Cayman Islands, in the criminal justice system, and in the financial services industry,” Bush added as he announced that next year it would be renamed the Truman M. Bodden Law School.

“Both these men have made significant contributions to nation-building, in these and other ways. This recognition has been earned, and it matters not what side they were on politically. Their achievement, their contribution is the measure to be used,” he said.

Bush revealed that he intended to name more buildings after Caymanians, and although he did not name anyone, he said that the new government building would be named after a prominent civil servant and he would be consulting with Cabinet over that decision shortly. He also spoke about his intention to confer further with Deputy Premier Juliana O’Connor Connolly as well as Moses Kirkconnell about renaming public buildings on the Brac, including the airport, which he said should be named for Capt Kirkconnell.

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  1. Anonymous says:

    I agree with the previous poster that to change the name of the University College of the Cayman Islands to Benson Ebanks College would be a backward step in its development. I am not saying this because of anything against Mr. Benson, but purely for the name recognition that UCCI has already acquired and the recent name change occured only in 2003/4. There are still some overseas Universities and Colleges who do not recognise UCCI's credits.

    May I suggest however, that the University College UCCI start creating say different schools within its structure to aid in its development. There could then be a School of Business which could rightly then be called the BO Ebanks School of Business since we know that he was the first local bank manager who went on to be the founding Chairman of Cayman National Corporation until recently.

    There could then be a School of Law, which could then be called the Truman Bodden School of Law for well founded reasons. There is no need to have a separate facility and costs for the Law School when it could be housed on the UCCI campus. Oversight of the Law School could still be done by the Attorney General's office  and the legal council but kept within the ambit of UCCI.

     

    • R.B. says:

      Call It What It Is–

      The College for Learners Who Deserve Better Than the Egomaniacle Narcassistic Politicians Who Run It

      I'm transferring to an accredited university.

  2. Anonymous says:

    It would appear the Premier is so ashamed of these islands that he wants to remove the Cayman Islands from the title of the college.

  3. Anonymous says:

    Leningrad, Stalingrad…

  4. Anonymous says:

    McKeeva for Christ sake, please do something constructive.  Renaming these institutions and the GIS Building is NOT Important.  Please do something about the UNEMPLOYMENT and the high Fees you have created in these Islands.  Do something positive for these Islands.  Renaming these schools to feed your agenda is NOT important sir.  Leave the school names alone and if you are going to give the GIS Building a name, name it the Kurt TIbbetts Building, as everyone knows he built the damn thing.  Stop being an upstart and troublemaker and for once do the right thing for your people.

  5. Rick singer says:

    Silly, silly, silly. Not much more I can say. Since I’ve been here for 6 years I’ve seen and heard things that my only response could be “only in Cayman”

  6. Anonymous says:

    How about keeping the UCCI name and call it the UCCi "Benson Ebanks Campus"

    I don't think it's going to look so good on your resume that you graduated from the Benson Ebanks College…

  7. Anonymous says:

    Have we run out of human beings?

  8. Anonymous says:

    Will McKeeva ask Roy to issue him a new "honorary" degree on B. O. Ebanks & Son letterhead?

     

    Did you mean 'Benson & Hedges' letterhead?

     

  9. Anonymous says:

    A significant portion of a rich educational experience depends on the exchange of ideas between students. As a result, quality students tend choose educational institutions which are likely to attract a higher caliber of student who are able to contribute to this rich exchange.   Changing the name to some politican is likely to undermine the institution's ability to attract these quality students who would not want to taint their career prospects with such exposure.  This is turn affects the quality of education the institution is able to provide to our children.  If Benson and Truman had any integrity they would see this connection and publically state that they did not want their name considered. Come on Cayman! Protect the education of our children!  Stop Mac from doing this for his political gain!  He just doing this because he's scared of the upcoming no-confidence vote!

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree with you on all points. Just to add my two bits, we already have honored Mr.Bodden  with the naming of the Sports Complex in his honor so if we wish to name every thing after a politician why not name this school after Miss. Annie Hulda Bodden who have contributed so much to these Islands at a time when lawyers were few and far between. She gained her experence the hard way and I am sure if she was alive today she would be pushing for the advancement of the Law School in the right way. 

  10. Attorney says:

    I am looking forward to the criminology course at the Truman Bodden Law School – Essay topic week 1 – "There are no gangs in Cayman".  Write 5,000 words on the naive and misguided crime policies of previous goverments and how their denial has lead to the present state of gang culture and violent crime in the jurisdiction.

  11. Reality Bites says:

    The Law School should be closed down and the resources used for more technical/vocational purposes.  Cayman qualifies too many lawyers for the population and those that do have the talent to make it further could easily obtain law degrees in the UK.  We need to focus tertiary education on what is most needed to benefit more of the population

    • Anonymous says:

      Bad idea !

      We need a Law School to produce Caymanian Lawyers to replace those hundreds on work permits. There should not be any graduates who cannot obtain articles when we have hundreds on work-permits. The frivolous reasons used needs to stop and the Immigration Board needs to do its job.

  12. The Lone Haranguer says:

    Change change change, the haters and the do nothing crowd cannot keep up with you Mac, I think it is very funny. Keep up the good work.

  13. Anonymous says:

    Will McKeeva ask Roy to issue him a new "honorary" degree on B. O. Ebanks & Son letterhead?

  14. Anonymous says:

    I reckon the Law School will be better defended than UCCI.  If this is the first certain people have heard of this plan, it will go no further.  The University of Liverpool, the local judiciary, the teaching and administrative staff, graduates, current students, concerned citizens.  Never pick a fight with hundreds of lawyers.

    • Anonymous says:

      Just remember lawyers are not the final authority in this land thePremier is and what the Premier wants, the Premier gets at any cost.  Just remember that, the law school will close its door one weekend in the old name and reopen the next weekday with a different name. 

      • Anonymous says:

        In his acceptance speech in 2009, the Premier by his own admission wanted to be a lawyer.

        Well he could'nt be one, so he became a politician thereby  bypassing the steps that is normal to be a lawyer. So then he became a village lawyer did he not ?

  15. Anonymous says:

    Yet another example of political abuse.  Mac is merely tying to borrow from whatever goodwill Trumand and Benson has in order to garner their support for the upcoming  no-confidence vote. Cayman we are too smart for fall for this rouse! Mac is clearly running scared and, especially with the ongoing criminal investigation,  know that he will fail.  Whatever the political motivatio, we must not allow him to mess with the political integrity of these institution or with our children's future!  Call your representatives! choke the phone lines!  Choke the emails! Find them wherever they and insist that this is not in the best interest of our country!  Come on Cayman, let's exercise our democratic muscle!

  16. Anoynmous says:

    The renaming of the University College is an extremely bad idea and many are hoping and indeed praying that the Premier, Minister Anglin and Chief Officer Rodrigues will immediately reconsider and retain the current name.

    Renaming the University College to a College downgrades all that has beeen accomplished over the past 10 or so years. What about colloborations with other Universities entered into precisely because there was the implied notion of progress and ambition to continue with institutional upgrade. All this comes to nought with the renaming that deletes the important terms " University College' and also Cayman Islands.

    The UCCI brand had just begun to take off and this name change will kill it.

    It will be a disincnetive to potential students to want to attend and a huge demotivator to the Faculty and Staff.

     This is a great way to waste the image of UCCI – a fledgling institution that needs more investment in resources- not a downgrade with this name change.

    Students should make their voices heard in no uncertain way.They must be supported by well meaning members of the Community so the entire idea of a name chnage is abandoned.

     

     

  17. Anonymous says:

    Typical.  Mac has had another brain fart!  Wreaking havoc with our children's education for his political gain. Not to mention throwing away all the goodwill that was built by the two educational institutions.    Cayman we must not let this happen!!

    • Anonymous says:

      Bull, whats re-naming the schools have to do with our children's education, I would sure hope you are training yours, in the right way.

  18. Cat says:

    I've tried to transfer over seas from UCCI last year, only to be told from the 7 different universities that I was interested in, that our school code didn't exist in their database, and they've neverheard of our school,and when I asked, that even though they've never heard of it, once they liaise with the school to transfer my credits, they said that my credits wouldn't be accepted, and i would have to start my associates over if I came over. Now I know of the schools that accept some of the credits from my school but they still don't accept most, and  according to my friends who could afford to transfer overseas,the majority of the time they still had to take placement exams because the schools weren't comfortable enough with the accredation our school has and wasn't sure of our grading schemes.

    I've graduated with my Associates this July and moving on to my bachelors, and according to our president they are working to improve the accredation to help us be better recognised, socouldn't Mckeeva work to escalate the process to make sure our school reaches the international standards we're suppose to have instead of worry about a bloody name?How is the name going to improve my chances in the work force or being recognized abroad? I'm not to pleased knowing that in a couple of years my Diploma is going  to have Benson O' Ebanks University/College. The worrying part is how hard it gonna be for students who wants to transfer out after the name change to have their credits accepted, if we already have this issue with a school with a decent name as University College of the Cayman Islands. Further more they're gonna have to some really good International PR to get our school name heard much less accepted in their database. When I said the name of our school the administrator at the University said "Hmm…never heard of it and I don't see your school code in here. Sorry.Your credits? No, unfortunately you'll have to definitely start your degree over, so you'll start and learn on the same level as the other students, due to the fact that we don't see your school or recognize your school as a highly accredited institution."

    That's what I was told by one of the Universities, and I suppose I won't be the only one hearing it too, unless they have a really good plan to help us out.

    But I'll  hope for the best and brace for dissappointment.

    Welcome to Benson & Hedges University

     

    • Anonymous says:

      I hope everyone reads Cat's post.  This is the kind of BS we are leaving to our young people, the future of the Cayman Islands!

       

    • King of Diamonds says:

      Surely this would be part of the basic research one would undertake BEFORE entering a tertiary education course not once one has completed it?

      • Cat says:

        If you read my post carefully, you would have understood that I tried to transfer before I completed my Associates not after.

    • Anonymous says:

      My daughter graduated with top grades from UCCI and was accepted at a 'top college' in the US.  With her ICCI credits being transferred she will complete her degree earlier than anticipated. Thanks UCCI.

  19. Anonymous says:

    Where in the UCCI charter does it state that the name can be changed arbitrarily by the government?  This change needs to be ratified by the UCCI board.  Being educated people, I would hope that they would see the complete folly in this idea, and put a quick end to it.

    But Bush has made announcements of this kind previously and pushed them through despite the counsel of rational people…

    I fear for and pity those poor students who have now had the value of their degrees diminished.

    • Anonymous says:

      "Where in the UCCI charter does it state that the name can be changed arbitrarily by the government?  This change needs to be ratified by the UCCI board".

      No problem. The Premier's ability to "ensure" approvals by others is not limited to rezoning of land. Do you remember when he announced who the new President would be before there was an actual selection process?

  20. Anonymous says:

    has he got nothing better to do?

    • Foxtrot Oscar says:

      At least if he did nothing he would be do nothing wrong.  I suspect that would be the lesser of two evils.

  21. Anonymous says:

    Is this really how time and energy is being spent by our "leaders"? Sitting around thinking up new (poorly considered) names for things? Could you all please turn your attention to more pressing matters (like the economy, corruption, jobs, education/youth training and crime) and GET SOME REAL WORK DONE?

  22. Anonymous says:

    Whats with this!?  Truman Bodden already got a stadium named after him.  Are you saying there is no other lawyer you could name the Law school after?  C'Mon man!!!

    Mr. Benson after all the things McKeeva XXXXX, please refuse this naming of UCCI to your name.  Be the statesman that you are and REFUSE!!!

  23. Anonymous says:

    People sure show ignorance talking about what they don't know.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_colleges_and_universities_named_after_people

     

    Please try to educate yourself before jumping on the band wagon!

    • Anonymous says:

      That is quite an impressive list. However, don't you think that Benson Ebanks College seems like a step back from the University College of the Cayman Islands?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes….and mostly with last names you moron.

      • Anonnymous says:

        And people who were founders of the institution – not elected officials who were paid to do a job.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes,,,and apart from the fact that 1/2 of them are in India who has heard of any of them?? Not very prestigious colleges are they.

       signed: (BA Calcutta…failed)

      or as it is now know Kolkata

       

      • Anonymous says:

         I have to dsagree with you there. The list includes some of the world's top universities – Yale, Duke and McGill.

    • Anonymous says:

      Many people know that colleges/universities around the world are named after people. However a building at UCCI was already dedicated to Mr. Benson Ebanks. Why all of a sudden does Mr. Mac see fit to change the name of the whole school. Who is he trying to winover? One thing it won't be the students at UCCI, we face enough criticism from employers who don't treat us the same compared to overseas students. I know this as a fact as I'm a student from UCCI whose worked hard to get the grades I have. I've applied for a job in my desired field and someone less qualified that attended a university overseas got the job. Really unfair but that's life in Cayman I guess…Changing the name won't do much for the school. More attention needs to be paid at how to improve other things at the school.

      It wasn't so long ago that the title of University was finally added now its gone again. They could have at least let the public have some say in the name change or the students that it would most likely affect. I wonder if enrollments this year will fall? I don't like that the name is being changed but they could have come up with something better, at least still keep the word university in it eg. Benson University (BU) or something along those lines. From the list you posted many colleges incorporated part of the individuals name. I bet most people in Cayman won't even know who this man is. I studied caribbean history in high school and have never heard brought up. I dont even want to touch on our educational system which need much improvement.

      Wish they had announced this at the graduation held in July so students would have had more time to transfer to colleges else where as most deadlines have passed for enrollment. Was once happy to hear about the improvements being made for students to receive laptops, mandarin classes and a telescope etc etc. Seems like it all being flushed down the drain with this new name.  I feel sorry for my fellow class mates…..

  24. Anonymous says:

    Ooohhh how the mighty have fallen… to have to beg favours of Mr. Benson's supporters now. This must be the transparency UDP were talking about two years ago.

     

    The 2013 campaign has begun – it must be the PPM that is causing UDP to lose so much public favour (NOT!). Revelation UDP, it was the global economic crisis all along that caused Cayman's woes, not so much the PPM capital projects. As you see for yourself, in a recession, you need SOME capital projects to help stimulate a stagnant economy, otherwise, why else would UDP WANT to build CB Hilton, Shetty Hospital, Docks, Primary Schools additions, etc.

     

    However, IMHO it was UDP that has made the Cayman economy worse and more stagnant by implementing anti-growth economic policies (e.g. incr biz fees, incr duties, incr fuel duties, rollback of Civil Servants cost-of-living increases). What did you really expect? Did you think this would create/put more money/disposable income into people's hands that could be spent/circulated in the local economy? Which bone-head, wanna-be macro-economist was advising you anyhow?

     

    Time and again it has been said "The USA sneezes and Cayman catches a cold". What were they doing while UDP were raising fees across the board in Cayman?

     

    Well, no use of me crying over spilled milk, i guess i put you here so I'll have to change that quick. One more thing, this is MY island, not yours.

     

    A New Blogger

  25. Anonymous says:

    First of all, whoever named UCCI "University College" is also confused. It is either a "University" or a "College". Pick one. Trying to give it clout with "University" doesn't cut it…It was only a few years ago that parts of the campus were named after people…Mr Benson Ebanks does have a section dedicated to him. (Not to say he is not deserving…but all these changes still cost money that doesn't need to be spent in this manner, at this time.)

    • Anonymous says:

      You are showing your ignorance. A University College is an intermediate stage between College and University. When it becomes a university it is then fully autonomous of any other educational institution.

      The oldest, largest and one of the most esteemed colleges at London University is called University College. The University of the West Indies started out as the University College of the West Indies in 1948.   

  26. BrackaByTheGraceOfGod says:

    This is HISTORY not just something you wake up during the witching hour and somehow a dim lightbulb shows up and you go ahead with this plan.

    Our airports are known WORLDWIDE! And no offense to Capt Kirkonnell of his family – but he was a SEAMAN he had no ties to AVIATION.

    The Airport name should remain the same!

    Mista Bush, please keep all those changes in WEST BAY!! We Brackas want NO PART of it!

    And if Ms Julie or Moses (although he may be biast to it) agrees SHAME ON THEM!!!

    If you change the name, you might as well change the entire history of the Brac Airport.

     

    As for the schools, they are known so much as a joke now – with the name change it would be just perfect! *smh

  27. nauticalone says:

    Obvious Poli-Tricks!

    Be interesting to hear what Truman, Benson….and the Uniersity President (Roy Bodden) have to say???

     

     

  28. Anonymous says:

    Mr. Bush, I am normally all for your good changes, but this one, even though it is just in the name, I think it is VERY bad idea.

    I went to The Community College of the Cayman Islands, so called then. Now the University College of the Cayman Islands, UCCI, which I thought sounded better.

    And I am also a past student of  The Cayman Islands Law School, a fairly good name and can be improved but definately not to The Law School for Truman Bodden.

    I shall cry tears if you do. Yes, recognise these men for the good they have done but PLEASE do not change the names of these two institution to what you have mentioned.

     

  29. Anonymous says:

    Hell no,  I will be transferring to ICCI, no one will recongnized this school.  God help us if we put the name on our resume because some people are now even getting help over the UCCI name itself. 

  30. must be the last days says:

    UUUUUUUMMMMMMMM?

     

    Was it not in the not too distant past that Mr. Tru Tru was about to, or actually sued  Keevi for some reason? And wasn't it  Mr. Benson who wrote a letter of endorsement  for and that was read from the platform by the West Bay independent group that ran against the UDP this past election. All this seems  very, very, strange.     But as they say!

     

    POLITICS   MAKE   STRANGE   BEDFELLOWS.       "ThInK".  

    • Anymous says:

      Hello there is an eleven letter word called FORGIVENESS, it is about time some of you use it.

      • skgydeui7f says:

        Forgiveness has eleven letters true!  But ten comes before eleven, and I'd like to remind you  of a ten letter word that is required before forgiveness. That word is called "REPENTANCE".  

         

        One "MUST" come before the other.           ""THINK""

  31. Anonymous says:

    Nice to hear of the Cayman people who are being recognized, but what has happened to the older dedicated teachers like THOMAS FREDRICK HILL who taught for many years in Grand Cayman and FREDERICK OLIVER  HILL  who also taught for many years in Cayman Brac. I am sure many natives still remember how dedicated they were.

  32. Anonymous says:

    isnt there more pressing things to be done in this country than this right now!

  33. Anonymous says:

    Northward could be called "The BritMcHandcuff Correctional Cage" !

  34. Anonymous says:

    McKeeva Bush could have named the new hospital except there is no hospital.  Or he could have named the new port facility except there is no new port facility.  Why not name the new Enterprise City after a deserving Caymanian?  Oh yes.  Enterprise City is nothing more than a bunch of drawings.

    No hospital.  No port facility.  No respect for the law.  No respect for the constitution.  No compliance with FOI.  No use for the rules of the Legislative Assembly.  No answer for charges of possible corruption.  I'd like to rename McKeeva Bush – NoKeeva Bush.

     

     

  35. Anonymous says:

    People, this is not hard.  March the Government Administration Building.  Nothing gets a politician out of office like a polite horde just a window-glance away.

  36. Anonymous says:

    Aaaaaand this is why I studied abroad!

    Sadly, many can't do this for various reasons. With so many having no choice but to stay here, it really is a sad day for them. Their degrees will now be worth less, ESPECIALLY when competing in foreign markets.

    As a note, universities generally do not name themselves after people. The colleges WITHIN the universities do. But if Mr. Mush had gone to university himself, he might actually know this.

  37. God's Child says:

    I am student at UCCI.

    To name the school Benson O. Ebanks College is very crazy Mr. Bush. The instuition use to be Community College of the Cayman Islands and was later change to UCCI which stands for UNIVERSITY College of the Cayman Islands. The word UNIVERSITY alone Mr. Bush gives hope when a preson graduates from the school in order to find a job with the degree you have achieved.

    To be very honest with you I was more looking for the school to be name something UNIVERISTY of the Cayman Islands instead of this ridiculous name.

    Mr. Bush everyone aim should aim upwards and not downwards. Instead of you trying to get the school recognize so that more international students will come to the institution and offer more degree plans you are pulling the school down…….COME ON MR. BUSH. Everyone knows that a UNIVERSITY IS HIGHER THAT A COLLEGE. YOU CAN NOT POSSIBLE AGREEEEEEE TO CHANGE THE NAME TO BENSON O. EBANKS COLLEGE. MR. BUSH OUT OF NO DISRESPECT TO YOU, PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE NAME OF OUR SCHOOL….WE ARE BEGGING YOU.

    I ALWAYS DREAM OF THIS SCHOOL NAME CHANGING TO SOMETHING UNVERSITY OF THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND WHEN YOU GO ON GOOGLE TO FIND A UNIVERSITY IT WILL BE ONE TO POP UP. PLEASE LEAVE OUR SCHOOL NAME AND DO NOT CHANGE THE NAME TO SOMETHING WORST THAN IT IS…. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.

    • Anonymous says:

      Well at least you have made a point about literacy standards at UCCI…

    • Anonymous says:

      I could feel your pain, God's Child, but you can translate that pain into action.

      In other places, students take action through peaceful protest marches, calls into Radio Station talk shows, peaceful sit ins, etc.

      UCCI students — the ball is in your court — it is time to organise and make your voice be heard.

  38. Anonymous says:

    Unbelievable.  Why?  I doubt if Benson would be impressed.  After all McKeeva is the reason he didn't get re-elected.  And this name change is ridiculous because it will now be insignificant to the outside world, and no longer identified with Cayman.

  39. Anonymous says:

    What a load of BS Mac………have you even thought about the inplications for past graduates of these two fine educational institutions. And the suggestion that you would rename an airport that is already named after an aviation stalward is ridiculous.

    You suggested that you are considering naming the new Government Building after a long serving civil servant which I dont think is necessary either but since you're considering it I have a suggestion : How about "The Charles Clifford Government Administration Building" since he is a long standing former civil servant and since he saved the people's building from being sold by you Mac !

    But I won't stop there…….I have few other name suggestions : The new Sewage System could be called "The McKeeva Bush's Sewage Plant'; The new Bodden Town Dump could be called "The Mark Scotland's Pile" with the road leading to it could be called "John John's Scenic Drive"; The extension of the Estherly Tibbetts highway could be called "The CG Swamp Adventure"; and Hurricane Hilton in Cayman Brac could be renamed "Julie's Jerusalem". Can't think of anything to name after Rolston and Mike……….oh the Office could be renamed "Rollie's Retreat"  and the old Cayman Airways building by the airport could be renamed "Mike's Museum". Ok there you have it……didn't cost you a thing for that advice !

  40. PEEVED BRACKA says:

    You name or rename BUILDINGS in college's NOT entire colleges. As someone stated in an earlier post we have a hard time being recognized as proper INTERNATIONAL colleges and getting credits transferred to school in the US or UK. Now that we have finally established our selves this stupidity could set back further those who students who will have to attend those schools. 

    MAC and Julie needs to get off those nose-bleed pedestals they are on and concentrate on how they are going to boost the economy for more people to get work and for the darn COST OF LIVING TO GO DOWN!!!! Because paying CI$5.85 for a gallon of gas on Cayman Brac is flipping ridiculous!!! 

    The global travelling isn't doing anythIng for us (just adding to their frequent flyer miles) and I am pretty sure we have got some expectional great construction firms in Grand Cayman that can do the work–even if its Dart! and signing MOU's that after a month we find out they've been retracted because of some bs! again stupidity!

    Its getting pretty obvious that when COMMON SENSE was being handed out, the two of them were on the playground NOT in line!!!

  41. Anonymous says:

     

    I think the new college should have a mandatory "Mac-o-nomics "  class. Teaching the future leaders of our country to balance the budget by double dipping (but cutting everyone else's salary) , going on unnecessary trips expensive trip with an entourage of 17 people,  using the people money to improve your personal properties,  pay your electric bill, have a personal chef , etc…  I mean there is soooooo much we could learn from this man about taking advantage.  Besides, who could fail this class? 

     

  42. Please withdraw this idea says:

    This is a bad idea. You can name a particular building or a library or even designate specific eduactional awards at both intitutions after these men in honour of their service. But it is a very bad idea to brand the colleeges after them.

    It is far better to have the current generic and more practical names as this allows the institutions to attract international and credibility and continue to build local credibility. Naming them after a particular person is risky and does nothing for the name/brand of the institutions. Saying that you graduated from University College of the Cayman Islands is very clear but saying you have a degree from the benson ebanks college does not communicate properly or effectively to employers as this raises the questions who is benson ebanks and what does this mean?

    This is not mean as anything negative towards either men but it is so obviously not practical or appropriate…and very costly to start a rebranding/awareness process.

  43. Anonymous says:

    I for don't understand the reasoning behind changing the name from Gerrard Smith Airport to Capt. Charles Kirkconnell, apparently Gerrard Smith was a very prominent individual who contributed much to have the Cayman Brac Airport named after him.

     

    Why not name Little Cayman Airport after Capt. Kirkconnell?  Afterall most of his time was spent there he even built a Church in Little Cayman.  Leave well enough alone, come on Bracer's take your heads out of the sand.  Speak up! be heard for once!

    • Anonymous says:

      As I have said before Gerrard Smith is not one person. the name was comprised of the surnames of the two Commissioners that encouraged the construction of the Cayman Brac airport, Ivor Smith and Andrew Gerrard.

      I think it's appalling how Caymanians don't know their history.

  44. Anonymous says:

    I do not have an issue with naming buildings or educational disciplines after individuals, however I do not believe the UCCI is a "building", I believe it is a collection of educational disciplines within buildings inside its campus. So name the buildings or disciplines but not the entire college. Some examples of various named disciplines may be: Benson Ebanks School of Business Administration, Joseph Jackman or Alfred Benjamin or John Bothwell School of Veterinary Science, O.L. Panton or Arthur Hunter School of Law, Isley Conolly School of Education Studies, Naul C. Bodden School of Accounting, Hope Glidden or James Arch School of Religious Studies, Roland Bodden School of Geomatics?, etc. (Caveat: I am not too old so I do not know who the more prominent individuals were in various professions in the Cayman Islands and I may have missed out some people unintentionally – please feel free to add to this list of potentials, thanks).

     

    According to the article: "He said public buildings should be named after Caymanians that had something to do with them.." – Well what about Mr. Valentine "Mr. Val" Hurlstone (of blessed memory, who lived near the corner of South Sound and Walkers Road) who owned the land that the govt took to begin the college? I would say Mr. Val has had the most to do with the UCCI than any other Caymanian – but where is his thanks?  Yes Mr. Val has passed on and cannot vote in the Cayman Islands anymore but that should not stop a building in UCCI from being named after him too.

     

    Using peoples memories and contributions should not be taken lightly or done for political/self gains. I would hope that this renaming exercise is not all for self, as many have suggested here – but given the recent track record it is difficult to feel comfortable with the suggestion.

     

    Please do not get me wrong, I am all for promoting our Caymanians who have contributed for the good of society and helped us to become who were are today, but what is good for the goose is good for the gander – please give something in memory of Mr. Val.

     

     

  45. Anonymous says:

    While I have a great amount of respect for both Mr. Benson and Mr. Truman and I am very mindful of their great accomplisments and contributions to Cayman, I find it illogical and ridiculous to change the names of the UCCI and Cayman Islands Law School in their honor.  I would not be opposed to a Hall or Auditorium within these faclities being named in their honor but to change these established institutions in this way is meaningless and senseless and will detract greatly from the credibility now associated with both.  I for one would never even consider going to a university or law school that no one ever heard of or knew anything about who the school is named for.  I would be much better off to have a degree in anything from Mickey Mouse Institute…….In any case the Truman Bodden Sports Complex is already named after Mr. Truman……or is Macdumdum going to change that now too???  I also have a great deal of respect for Capt. Charles Kirkconnell and feel there is something else that could be named in his honor like the hurricane shelter, or something, but to change the Gerard Smith arirport name is not necessary and will not accomplish anything positive.  Macdumdum needs someone to suggest some priorities he could take on like creating scholarships in these mens names and offering and encouraging education to Caymans youth.  This is something that would continue through the ages and would be of great benefit.  Or setting up a Trade School for those who are not academically inclined but have technical skills.  Or fighting the violent crime and replacing or reinforcing the Police Dept with capable men and women.  Or ordering enquiries as to why the judges are not prosecuting the crimes here and fixing whatever is wrong there.  Clearly there is more "wrong" needing to be "righted" here and much that is broken that needs fixing that will make significant improvements to these islands, instead of this being your legacy????  Come on and help me here but I am not so sure these men themselves would support these changes machasnothingtodo is promoting.  Have they or Capt. Charles' family had any say in this??? 

  46. Anonymous says:

    I hope you fools yes I said FOOLS that put Mac-Attack in office are happy with this crazy mans work so far! He has to go and stay gone forever we can not stand by and take this any longer our lives and our island are at risk of changing forever! Mac you are in over your head and you don't even know it! Come on people pull together and lets kick his A _ _ OUT!!!!

  47. Anonymous says:

    This will only serve to further obscure the recognition of the degrees and diplomas achieved of those who have already graduated from UCCI and CI Law School.  All associated with a wholesale rebranding of these schools do the graduates a great disservice.  

    I agree with earlier commentator that it would be a great family honour to be commemorated with a lecture hall or library, or a computer lab, and more commensurate with their real life impact and contributions.  

  48. Anonymous says:

    Dear Mr Bush,

    Please indulge me with a short history lesson about your own islands.

    Did you know that the airport in the Brac began as a community initiative.  In 1954, a group of volunteers hacked out a 1200 foot airstrip in the west end of the island and then levelled it with a heavy roller borrowed from Jamaica.  As a result of entreaties by Commissioners Ivor Smith and Andrew Gerrard, funds were provided by Britain to extend and blacktop the strip.  The runway was completed in 1955 and named the Gerrard-Smith Airport in honour of the two Commissioners who had played such an integral part of its contruction.

    Capt Charles Kirkconnell spent most of his life at sea before returning to Grand Cayman to found a highly successful supermarket and retail operation. 

    And the connection is……? Answers on a postcard please.

    (PS I hope this is part of my multiple guess PR test)

     

  49. Anonymous says:

    Hey, they should rename Northward after our illustrious Premier!

  50. Anonymous says:

    Is this why dear Tru-Tru is hanging with McKeeva? To get his name on yet another piece of concrete?

    I hope he does the honorable thing and declines the offer!!! 

  51. Anonymous says:

    Since your changing the name of the airport in cayman brac, my grandfather help build it. So does that mean his name will be in it too, along with all the other hard working men, who broke their backs to make cayman brac what it is today! 

     

    Mac, why dont you just leave cayman brac alone and out of any "IDEAS" you have now and in the near future. Ohhhh, and take julie with you!!

  52. Anonymous says:

    So Vassel Johnson just gets the Hall but Mr. Benson gets the whole university named after him? 

    • Anonymous says:

      Even before Sir Vassel, what about Mr. Valentine Hurlstone's recognition?

  53. Anonymous says:

    Instead of him trying sort out our financial deficit, crime, Corruption XXXX he worried about re- naming buildings. HELLO Priorities!!! This man na going stop till he destroy dis place.

    If West bayers want him run dem so bad think its time we cut west bay off cayman and let them suffer wid his stupidity. boo boo lol 

    • Anonymous says:

      Wasn't the "Truman Bodden Sports Complex" enough name recognition for Tru Tru?? I bet if we were to put McKeeva's brain in a bird it would fly back ways. Why spend all this $$$ on rebranding the law school/airport that's not needed then in the next breath complain about the country's deficit?? This man is insane and robbing Belview a case!!

  54. Anonymous says:

    Is it April Fools again this month?!  What's wrong with the name "Cayman Islands Law School"?  Well, if the law school gets renamed, they will surely have one less student!

  55. Just Wondering says:

    Is it not in poor taste to 'rename' an institution (Brac Airport) that already has a name and has had so for many years?

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes — I do think it is poor taste — Gerrard Smith made his contribution and now we are stamping all over that.

      If it is already named for someone, let's leave it alone.

      And, as someone mentioned, the rebranding will cost —  when we are penny pinching, we don't need to be spending unnecessary money to reprint a whole host of products and do all the re-sinage.

      This type of  knee-jerk reaction — come across an idea and suddenly implementing is never a good policy — we need to have leaders who think and give ideas some time to ferment so their thinking can catch up with the idea — especially if we have some deficits in the thinking department.

      • Anonymous says:

        Actually Gerrard Smith is not one person (which is why the names are hyphened,supposed to be at least). the name was comprised of the surnames of the two Commissioners that encouraged the construction of the Cayman Brac airport, Ivor Smith and Andrew Gerrard.

    • Anonymous says:

      I agree that it is rather foolish and in poor taste to rename the airport on the Brac when it was already named in honour of someone.  It is like honouring someone and then taking it back.  Was Gerrard Smith the one who named the airport after himself?  I could justify renaming if it was named 'Cayman Brac' airport.  Take the Brac High school for example, it was Cayman Brac High school renamed Layman E. Scott Senior High school after a prominent man who made significant contributions to educationon the Brac.  Now, can you imagine 10, 20 or 30 years later, some politician decides to rename it 'Mexi-Ann Grant High School' or after some other prominent person who made significant contributions to education on the Brac?  Mmmmm…what is happening in the country? God help and guide us!

    • Anonymous says:

      It is bad luck to change the name of a boat and, probably, a University. This is a simploe two part play. Owen Roberts Airport isdestined to be McKeeva Bush International. Just watch.

  56. Anonymous says:

    I bet Steve is pissed. All he got was a shiny medal that's not so shiny any longer, and Tru Tru gets a whole school.

  57. Anonymous says:

    Leave our institutions of learning as is, no renaming/rebranding "If it's not broken don't try to fix it".  Please rename the Immigration board to the "Caymanian Protection Board" and rename people who were granted citizenship to these islands "Caymanian Status Holders" and not Caymanians.  

  58. Anonymous says:

    No Mr. Bush they don't name entire universities after people.  They do name buildings, but not universities due to specific reasons.  As other posters pointed out, especially the graduates of UCCI, you have just truly diminished your islands educational systems. Perhaps you would know that if you had any formal educationa/qualifications yourself.

  59. Bobby Anonymous says:

    Great idea! Can I please pick the name for the new dump!!!! Please, Please, Pleaaaase. I have someone in mind.

  60. Anonymous says:

    Imagine the COST!

    Think of everything that has the name UCCI on it and then add up how much it will cost to change the name. Re-branding is hugely expensive, with many hidden and unforeseen costs…..business cards, letterheads (not to mention the waste of those aready printed), signage, leaflets, bookelets, etc etc etc…I thought the country was supoosed to be saving money….Not to mention the consultancy fees usually paid to someone to design new logos etc….the list is endless…..then double when the exercise is repeated for the law school…Interesting to know how much per head of student it might cost….Better to spend on investing in resources for the primary and secondary schools…after all unless you get your basic education right, no point in having tertiary education…

    • Anonymous says:

      Mac – Does your brain ever work?? This man is the worst thing to have happened to the Cayman Islands and too bad we are stuck with him for more time to come as those smart West Bayer's will vote doofy in again.

  61. Anonymous says:

    It's funny how someone with virtually no formal education can sit down and think he knows what's best for tertiary schools in Cayman. Congrats Mr. Bush (No, I will not call you Honourable Premier)…but you've just managed to disadvantage more Caymanians in the workplace. Students graduating from UCCI and ICCI have a hard enough time competing for jobs because many employers do not recognize either college. They are much quicker to hire someone who has been to a recognized school overseas. A name change like the above, will only serve to further disadvantage Caymanians. Many of the hiring managers in this country (particularly in the finance/ law fields) are not local and will be less likely to recognize these schools now. Of course, this isn't true for all, or maybe even most, but it is true for some. Pride of country? Pride of People? I think not. You really are a damn fool in every sense.

  62. Anonymous says:

    Renaming these institutions is a silly idea for all the reasons already outlined by various commentors.  The country is really in trouble when Mac can secure the support of his cabinet colleagues for this ludicrous suggestion which I'm sure is not an original thought of his, but something he saw on his recent trip to the British Virgin Islands, where the college there is the H Lavity Stoutt College and the high school is the Elmore Stout High School etc. Mac – is this your idea of nation building?

    • Anonymous says:

      Bingo — it obviously came out of that visit then.

      Bush's heart is in the right place, and it is true that people don't like change — but think, man, think.  How is this going to impact the students, not to mention, the faculty.  There is a big difference between having "The University College of the Cayman Islands" on one's CV and the "Benson O Ebanks College".

      As much as I love Mr. Benson and feel he deserves it, one must consider the overall impact.

      And what is most concerning is that in the process "university" seems to have disappeared.  At least stick that back in.  That was earned as part of an upgrading involving external institutions and much work within our institution to achieve that status.

      This is where students and faculty need to have a voice — unfortunately, the university is now on vacation — but I hope that students will organise themselves into a protest march.  I believe that it will be supported by faculty, whom I trust will join, along wiht supporting members of the community.

      It would be good, at the same time, for Mr. Bush to reconsider.

      And what has happened to his high falutin technical advisers in his ministry.  Why are they not doing their job?  

       

    • Stiff-Necked Fool says:

      Hahahaha! It would appear to me that in these very troubling times for the premier he is looking for every which way to make friends & get support. He is now trying to appease his long time adverseries & political enemies by 'honouring' them with their names on buildings in the hope of getting their support & the support of their supporters (one of which has very little support in his GT constituency anyway). It is shocking what the pressure of a police investigation for corruption, troubling reports by the AG, & ever decreasing support & popularity will do to a person, even one asstubborn, dictatorial XXX as the premier! They say politics makes strange bed fellows, but anything is possible when you have the weight of a serious investigation, bad AG reports & loss of support to deal with!
      We can all see through this phoney act! 

  63. Nonnie Mouse says:

    Who was the university that Mac went to named after?

     

  64. Ken P says:

    MacDaddy School of Nuts ( MDSN), Republic of MacBay, Cayman MacIguana, MacTurtle Burgers, MacPLus Shake ( lose weight super fast) and MacHow. com ( Cayman's version of About.com) now this is good name changing: No seriously why not name UCCI after Ms. Isly Conolly who did so much for education in Cayman, maybe name the new goverment building after Sir Vassel or Capt Charles. Also try to recognize Mr. Ormond Panton, Mr. Roy McTaggart, Mr. Willie Farrington, Mr. Warren Conolly and Ms. Sybil Mclauglin. Mac is only using Benson's name to drum up votes in West Bay and we know he's a glory follower of Truman, soon the Queens Highway will be John Mclean Highway. Now that will make Arden go even more raven mad.

    • anonymous says:

      Big Mac At It again.

      This is just a publicity stunt on the part of McKeeva Bush.

      He knows he is in hot water and  his chances for 2013 has weakened.

      Honoring rich former politicians and Government leaders like Benson Ebanks and Truman Bodden is a political ploy to boost their support  for them to influence the people in West Bay and George Town to be stupid enough to vote for him again and put him in front of the people in 2013 as a good person that should be given another chance to F**K  us all up again!

      XXXX

      I'm awake are the rest of you? You see my friends

      Dickie Arch,

      Dr.Edlin Merren

      Mr.Norman Bodden

      Cherry Bodden Cowan

      Joy Basdeo 

      and all others that begged us to vote for this wolf in sheep's clothing DARE NOT PUT THEIR FACE OUT IN PUBLIC AGAIN ASKING US TO VOTE FOR THIS DICATOR.They dare not.So he is now  replacing them and recruiting the most influential and powerful people from old school to put him back on his feet politically.  IT WON'T WORK  we're going to make sure it does not work because we do not want anything to do with McKeeva Bush.Spread the word.

      Now believe it or not MCKEEVA BUSH KNOWS HE IS IN DEEP SH*T   AND THE FORMER HON.TRUMAN AND BOTH HON. BENSON EBANKS  MAY HAVE TO ASSST HIM IN HIS HOT WATER MESS THAT HE IS IN with these legal challenges facing him.

      As innoocent as it may seem in the picture he presenting to the public rest assured,ITS NOTHING BUT ANOTHER ONE OF HIS   POLITICAL PLOYS TO HELP HIMSELF NOTHING ELSE!

      • JJTA says:

        The hell with all of those people and anyone else who supports or supported this nightmare scenario we are now witnessing and experiencing. Uncle Mike, you are being a shameful schill and you disgust and have disappointed me far beyond what words can describe. You used to be one of my heroes as a child but that is no more. For the good of the Cayman Islands please, I beg you, stop being a part of this. Papa is rolling over in his grave and you are completely dishonouring his name and what he stood for. Nobody who voted for McKeeva Bush or his cohorts was unaware of his character, or lack thereof, and all of this is on their heads and it will not now or ever be forgotten. This is a completely untennable situation and it is foretelling of national disaster.

  65. Anonymous says:

    I have no objection with public buildings being named after prominent and well meaning caymanians.

    However, I disagree with the renaming of the educational institutions. If Mr Benson and Mr Truman were to be honoured and recognised, the campuses could have been named after then. I do hope both these gentlemen write to the Govenment with the same advice.

    • Anonymous says:

      Yes, name the library after them or something, but not the entire institution.

      • Anonymous says:

        The irony – all the bulidings on the UCCI campus are named after caymanians who have contributed to the development/ improvement of the country. This was done years ago. Buildings are named after:

         

        • T/A – The Hon. Benson Ebanks Block
        • TW – The Layman E. Scott Block
        • H/B – The Hon. Sybil McLaughlin Block
        • GS – The Hon. James Bodden Block
        • L – The Sam Basdeo Library
        • MPH – The Sir Vassel Johnson Hall

        (taken directly from the website)

        Is our all knowing and wise Premier not aware of this? Last I was there, I saw signs infront of each block highlighting this. 

        Another silly idea that will only be detrimental to the institutions involved.

  66. This is just says:

    This is just a way for MAc to try to get these two (still influential) past politicians to support his party when the next election date rolls around. Nthing more than a political vote getting strategy. Fortunately for us everyone (except Mac) can see through this!

     

  67. Anonymous says:

    This is just plain arrogance.  Univeristies do not rename themselves after people.  The University was not consulted on this.  When is the government going to wakeup and realize that they have no business running a University?  When are they going to realize that their constant meddling in the business of tertiary academics is purely insane.  I hear more and more good staff leave the University because the government will not stay out of the University business.  Just this year, the UCCI Law was changed to remove the faculty member that sits on the board as a non-voting member.  When are people of these islands going to wake up and demand that their government stay out of the educating of college kids?  I have seen some amazingly shallow minded decisions, but this one is pretty close to the top.  When are people going to demand that that UCCI get as much if not more money as the turtle farm?  UCCI is not a political tool

    Universties name a school (i.e. perhaps their business school or their vet school after someone) but they never change the name of the University.  Maybe Harvard, Yale, USC, UWI, Oxford, Cambridge or Stanford should wake up and change their name tomorrow.  This is small town politics at its finest…..Can you imagine when graduates from this institution go away to other schools with a transcript that says Benson Ebanks College.  Good luck!

    • Anonymous says:

      This is why alot of caymanian students rather go abroad to further their education.

      But who can balme them when a fool like Mc.Keeva is making everything so difficult within the cayman islands. Me, personally would not want to attend the schools in cayman just because of the level of education he has which is NONE!

       

       

  68. must be the last days says:

    Quick!  Somebody bring the strait jacket! 

     

    How about building a new asylum and calling it Bush house!  

     

    "Sounds reasonable"  wa di ya tink?  Yeeeeah

    • South Sounder says:

      Let's be honest, this man and his friends in the LA are howling at the moon.

      What sane minded individual would contemplate wasting LA time on trivia such as this, when the islands are in such dire straights, have they all gone mad, or are they all just very afraid of the Big Mac?

      To the outside world (and most of us) this is the behaviour of a Dictator…how long is it before he changes the country's name to the Bush islands, indulges in Ethnic Cleansing, declares himself President for life and head of all the Churches….and don't think that because you come from the Brac or Little Cayman that you will be treated any different….soon you will have to prove that you were born in West Bay just to be able to get a job.

       

  69. An Onymous says:

    Are these institution and building renaming pronouncements just more proof that a drowning man will grasp at straws in a desperate attempt to come up with some gimmick that would be swallowed hook, line and sinker by the ever-increasing numbers of the previously naive and gullible population of Cayman?  Sorry, old chap, redemption is not possible as we've seen the light and will no longer blindly follow wherever you lead.

  70. Anonymous says:

    Somebody looking to get people in his corner!

  71. Thinking Cap On. says:

    We should rename Pirates Week! Oh… Never mind.

  72. Anonymous says:

    So, who will the Benson Ebanks Block at UCCI be renamed for? Frank McField?

  73. The Regurgatator says:

    I’m actually going to hurl, no lie. Can’t it at least be the Truman “there are no gangs” Bodden Law School?
    Talk about misguided.
    Anyway, on the plus side, these are the things the Government needs to be focusing on and leaving the rest of us who know what we are doing to run the country, I mean BOTC, my bad.

    • JJTA says:

      Let us not forget that it was Truman's law firm which was legally representing a one Mr. Sheldon Brown at the same time. What does that tell you?

  74. Anonymous says:

    The man is naming mad!!

    It is all his vote buying ploy.

    Very effective on small simple egotistical minds.

    Mc The Man is working up for his statue in Heros Square mounted high on a plinth – above Mr. Jim of course.  And it will be there before he dies.  Watch it, his UDP successor will make the recomendation.

    What utter nonsense of his.

    The best of his tricks was when he made Speaker Ms. Sybil McLaughlin Hero then removed her shortly afterward.

    Now Mr. Benson and Mr. Truman will have to kiss his toes.

    • Anonymous says:

      If he puts a statue of himself, I will personally destroy it.

    • Anonymous says:

      Can you imagine the vandalism that would occur if NoKeeva Bush were to erect a statue to himself?  He'd have to hire guards and build an 8 foot high security fence around it to keep people from having their way with his statue.

      Who says there is no entertainment in Grand Cayman?  We have the highest-paid clowns in the world.

       

  75. Anonymous says:

    I will bet the new admin building will be named after george McCarthy because McC is supposed to write the foreword to  Mac's memoirs when he finishes writing them and of course both are Christian men!!!!

  76. AnonymousSick and Tired of the B...S... says:

    I do hope that Tru Tru has the commonsense to decline the “honour” – he already has the sports stadium – and in the past, in the context of his professional qualifications, they used to say that ” he has more degrees than a thermometer “

  77. Anonymous says:

    Big Mac and his three fries. That should be the national dish of the Cayman Islands…. or a special at Northward

  78. Knot S Smart says:

    Should the public have any  input in this?

    Or were these schools built using the Premier's personal money?

    • Freedom Man says:

      I'm glad he has his priorities straight! there can't be anything more important to our Country's prosperity that re-naming buildings.

    • Wet Paper Caymanian says:

      22 : 34 : Nah ! It;s HIS island and we don't exist  except ……….

      22:08 It's not that we enjoy bringing down what he does but how he does it. Read the site of the person who graduated from UCCI.. Roy don't let it happen please. What he should be doing is answering the Many questions unanswered questions, and no we have not forgotten your little investigation. I feel sometime like I have seen this movie and remember not liking the ending/

  79. A Guy says:

    Keev hath founded it upon the seas?

    The silver Bush Palm?

    Wild McKeeva orchid?

    Keeva Parrot?

    Grand Mac, Mac Brac,Little Mac?

    Just some ideas, obviously we can change them after, well, you know.

  80. Anonymous says:

    Why is it that everything that the Premier puts forwardis shot down?

    It  certainly nothing wrong with the idea of giving our schools or college a name from one of our former or present politicial leaders.

    Many colleges and universities are named after people. Name sakes include the founder of the institution,financial benefactors,revered religious leaders, notable historical figures,members of royalty, teachers, polticial leaders, respected leaders and other leaders associated with the institution.

     

    • So Sad says:

      Timing is everything sweetheart! ""Think".!

    • Anonymous says:

      Buildings and parts of schools are named after prominant people, not entire universites or colleges.  Especially changing the name.  This is foolish

    • Cow Itch says:

      He didn't  "put it forward", he announced it as a done deal, just like everything else!

    • Anonnymous says:

      You're wrong!! It is normally a specific section or department or even residential blocks, that are named after individuals.  We see this particularly where families have attended such institutions for generations and have contributed financially to the institutions.  Do you want you child to graduate from the "Benson Ebanks College" or the Truman Bodden Law School – remember they may be known here (and for some, not well known) but anywhere else in the world they are just two faceless names.  Some of our children may find themselves seeking employment in other countries – there degree from such named schools will not mean a thing!

  81. Anonymous says:

    LOL ……I can't believe of all names imagine BENSON why they leave off the EDGES…………dwl  right now i need a pack …..stresssss

  82. Anon says:

    We have been reaping the "benefits" of what Benson and Truman did for our education system over the past 10-15 years.  Let the names of these institutions remain as they are.

  83. Anonymous says:

    What does MacDumDum know about branding? This will wipe away thousands and thousands of dollars in brand value.

    Another poor decision by a meddling politician who is clearly out of his depth.

    Can these institutions reject this nonsensical decision?

    • Anonymous says:

      Signs are changed, brochures are changed, stationary and business cards are changed, web sites are changed, all sorts of things – anything with the old names on it must now be changed to reflect the new names.

      HOW MUCH WILL ALL OF THIS COST?

      HOW MUCH WILL ALL OF THIS COST?

       

  84. Jumbles says:

    Time well spent Mac.  We were kind of waiting for another public statement.  Maybe one that deals with a certain investigation.  We really have not forgotten that little issue.

  85. Duke of South Sound says:

    I very nearly choked on my port when I read this.

    • Anonymous says:

      U got port? Share some pls, i need a quick shot after reading this pile of rabbit pellets

  86. Anonymous says:

    Does the Premier's IGNORANCE and INTERFERENCE know  no bounds?  Educators and students of these institutions: OBJECT with all your might!   For everyone's sake, reject this rediculous decision.

  87. Anonymous says:

    Wow.  It gets worse!  I've seen it all.

    I admire Truman.  However, educational institutions – as a rule – should not be named after persons, particularly institutions that operate under the aegis of the state.  As others have said, it devalues the institution.  Any name would.  Besides, Truman already has the sports complex named after him, and although he has achieved remarkable things in his life, I do not think this particular honour is for him – or anyone.  Now, Nelson Mandela: he's someone you can name a school after – and there are several.  How are the distinguished teaching staff going to say with a straight face that they are lecturers at the Truman Bodden Law School?  

    I hate to have to oppose everything McKeeva does – lawyers do believe in fair hearings – but it's all just so tacky.  Please, people, remember this sort of foolishness when 2013 rolls around.  His stylistic failures are as shocking as his substantive ones.

    • Anonymous says:

      I should add that I would be happy to see the Sir Vassel Johnson School of Finance, or the Warren Conolly School of Government.  We could do with graduates from these places!

      • Anonymous says:

        Clearly the thumbs down suggest readers believe that last bit is inconsistent with what I just said.  They might think that, but they would be wrong.  It was merely a way of saying that I would like to see a return to public-private participation on financial/legal issues, and to principled public service without undue reward.  It should be obvious which goes with which name.  

  88. Anonymous says:

    I'm a graduate from UCCI and the fact that the university is being renamed after a politician is unbelievable. Students like myself  have busted our butts studying late nights to pass our exams in order to receive high marks. We held our heads high with pride at the graduation in July  as we truly earned our degrees from UCCI. Now when I receive my diploma in October, instead of it saying University College of the Cayman Islands it will say BENSON O. EBANKS COLLEGE…..are you freaking serious sounds like a bunch a crap. Its hard enough for us to compete in the working world against students who graduate from universities overseas. Even with top marks UCCI students are still discriminated against. My GPA is 3.61 but when employers see that your a UCCI grad versus an overseas grad that may have lower GPA they prefer to hire the overseas grad. The college barely meets the standards of otheruniversities in the Caribbean much less the USA etc etc.

    At least when it was called UCCI some people outside of Cayman actually knew where it was or had heard of the Cayman Islands before.

    Just another bad decision from the Premier which undermines the credibility of the school.  If I had know the name was going to be changed I would' ve enrolled at ICCI to do my bachelors degree instead. I value my education, but when government goes and makes a decision like this it just show how  much the opinions of the people hardly ever counts. What a disappointment !!!!!!

    • Anonymous says:

      You wanted him, well you got him and the fries now!

      Enjoy the ride.

  89. Anonymous says:

    Seriously? Is there nothing else to do? Here's a start – lower fees, let's get the population back up and this economy going! Geesh!!!

  90. Anonymous says:

    I would like for Northward Prison to be renamed McKeeva’s Place.

    • Anonymous says:

      Actually, it would more fitting to name Cayman’s first mental institution after W. MacLoco Bush.

  91. Anonymous says:

    Cayman is something else! Many years ago when Benson Ebanks, Member for Education, wanted to do away with the Middle School (because Truman created it) and create two high schools, the country was told there was to be a competition for the naming of these two new high schools. Lots of consultation went on then one day the staff  in his Portfolio ( Oswell Rankine, Leonard Dilbert, Dianna Lookloy) announced that ExCo had decided they were to be named after George Hicks and John Gray, white missionaries, one of whom had massive West Bay/Benson influence. The resultant discontent from all sides at this usurping of a process Benson had set in place has done nothing to stop politicians doing their horrible acts of political/religious patronage.

  92. Anonymous says:

    Imagine showing up for 1st job interview

    "so where did you study?"

    which sounds the better reply

    "At UCCI"

    or

    "Oh at Benson O Ebanks College"

     

    LOL

    • Anonymous says:

      Exactly!  What do you expect from a Premier that has absolutely no idea what a formal eduction looks and feels like?  It's clear the man has absolutely no idea what he's doing.

  93. Anonymous says:

    "and after people who were still alive so they could enjoy it."

    So when Benson and Truman die do we have to rename them again???????

  94. Anymous says:

    I agree with the Premier these buildings should be named after Caymanians.  If not how will the new generstion know who they are.

    • Anonymous says:

      They can't be too important if the younger people don't know who they are.  Honestly, they could care less about these names.  It's only the older people that care about this.  This naming of buildings by politicians need to stop.

    • Anonymous says:

      There's a difference between naming a building and naming an institution.  This is a typical move for this disaster of a "leader".  Of course the biggest irony is his total lack of respect for higher education is well known, and yet he somehow feels he is justified in arbitrarily renaming the two biggest post-secondary institutions on the island?  No disrespect intended to the named individuals – this is about Mac, not them.  And by the way, Capt. Charles was a fine man, but he died last year – how is this consistent with naming buildings and institutions for living Caymanians so they can enjoy it?

  95. Whodatis says:

    Considering the current state of our educational system in the Cayman Islands, I fail to see the justification of naming any related entity after any living individual.

    Question: To whom is our National Trade Institute being dedicated?

    Oh, that's right! We DON'T HAVE ONE DO WE?!

    A truly apt and visionary politician / leader would have made it priority number one to bring about such an institution.

    The blue collar labour sector is the foundation of every stable modern society … hence the breakdown of so many western societies today.

    In any event I fail to see the need for tributes and dedications at this particular time. We have far bigger fish to fry Mac.

    Lastly, if thismove is meant to divert our attention from the other controversial proposals and "developmental" flirtations as of late you better try again.

  96. Anonymous says:

    More new names to come .. Bush-Ritz Carlton? McKeeva Port?

     

  97. Anonymous says:

    ahhhhhhhhhhhhh boy, politricians. don't Truman have di sports complex named afterhim now, bout he was a body builder in his day. hahahahahahahaha. must been lifting his fork.

    find somebody else or just leave it alone. why not Miss Annie Hulda she was a woman and a lawyer if I remember correctly. BTW how many jobs is that going to create???

    Geeze. All these politricians study is beating their chest. Whatever they did is what they were being paid to do. I wish at least one of them would earn their money for a change.

  98. OMG!!! says:

    Oooohh, myyyyyy goddd… say it aint so, please I beg u, say it aint so!

  99. Anonymous says:

    As a Caymanian and a graduate of the Cayman Islands Law School I feel quite strongly about politicians interfering with the institution in any way, shape or form. This is another horrible decision by the Premier. Mitchell Davies is a far more deserving candidate to have the law school named after him. I don't see the justification for naming the law school  after a past politician, particularly one that while the Minister of Education failed to ensure our high schools received the resources they so terribly needed. The irony of our Premier speaking of nation building should not be missed, nation building is about leading by example, nation building is about service to country and not enriching oneself, nation building is about encouraging dialogue and not questioning an individual's patriotism because they dare to question and criticise their elected representatives. Even if you give the Premier the benefit of the doubt and say he's doing his best, it's time for him to step aside and allow others a chance at the real substance of nation building.

  100. Alan Nivia says:

    Why does everything have to be named after someone here?  How vain.

    More importantly these names mean nothing outside of Cayman and undermine the credibility of the institutions.  No disrespect to Truman but who wants an attorney from the Truman Bodden Law School? 

  101. Thinking Cap On. says:

    New name for Northward anyone? How about the Landfill? The Courthouse? West Bay?

    • Jumbles says:

      Since someone who is still living should have a few years of enjoying it, why not re-name Northward after Mac?

    • Anonymous says:

      Rename the dump after David Ballentine- 

      Rename northward after Brian Gibbs

      Rename the new sewage plant the FMI Crap Washer

      Rename the Courthouse after Polaine/Bridger

       

  102. NorthSideSue says:

    And these actions will solve Cayman's problems?

  103. Anonymous says:

    What a derriere kiss deal trying to galvanize Caymanians to rally behind smoke and mirrors. You cannot pull this off and if you do, I want what you are smoking.

    Fix the social issues. This means nothing. NOTHING! Waste of time. Are the buildings about to fall down?

  104. The Beaver says:

    I'd like to be renamed – could you please do me the honour and rename me?  I always wanted to be called Sir Beaver, Senor Beaver, or just simply Bobo!!!  C'mon, wat u say McChavez?  The Beaver

  105. The Beaver says:

    Ummh yeah, in the next two weeks you're going to hear a whole bunch of future buildings/projects being named McChavez this and McChavez that…  the future: dock, nuclear power plant, hospital, uranium mine, space station, etc…  The Beaver

  106. Cow Itch says:

    When will Big Mac announce that he is renaming Grand Cayman "Dart Island"?

    • Anonymous says:

      In response to your comment regarding "Dart" Island.  This is starting to get old.  Can anyone tell the readers what the Dart Group has done to hurt the Cayman Islands.  This company employs a lot of Caymanians paying them top salary while they offer employees the chance of a good education, if it is needed.  I have a family member who was one of the first persons employed when that company opened the first office in the Cayman Islands, and she is still there, moving up regularly and having the education her parents paid for recognised and enhanced by further education when she wants it.  It is better to have Dart here than Ryan.  What has he done to enhance Grand Cayman XXXX.  If the Governor does not exercise his Executive Power and muzzle this would-be dictator now, sensible Caymanians are going to have to evacuate "Mac Island" in order to survive.  I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER SEE THE CAYMAN ISLANDS IN SUCH A MESS.

  107. Anonymous says:

    There is a cost associated with renaming these institutions.

     

    Couldn't we wait until we are out of debt first?

  108. Anonymous says:

    I wish they would both run for election again too….

  109. Anonymous says:

    Why?? I can understand new schools, but leave the existing names alone!

    For instance, taking Dr Giglioli's name off the DOE building was a travesty, after all he and his father did for Caman…

    Remember the mosquitoes?