By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

THE administration yesterday defended Gov. Felix P. Camacho’s power to appoint members to the University of Guam’s board of regents, dismissing allegations that he tried to encroach on the Regents Nominating Council’s turf.
Shawn Gumataotao, special assistant to the governor, invoked Public Law 26-24 which, he said, upholds the governor’s appointing power.
“Because it is the governor’s responsibility, he is concerned about the potential conflict of interest pointed out by the Regents Nominating Council,” Gumataotao said.
The administration was reacting to a resolution adopted last week by the UOG Faculty Senate, admonishing the governor for his request to submit names of potential candidates for a seat left vacant by the resignation of Felicia Perez.
The Faculty Senate accused the governor of interfering with the selection process.
“The governor has never tried to interfere with the autonomy of the university which was even recognized by WASC in their recent meetings with the governor,” Gumataotao said.
“It is unfortunate that the Faculty Senate has reacted this way to this issue considering that the governor has a good working relationship with the University of Guam,” he added.
Gumataotao reminded university officials that the governor “has worked closely with them” to alleviate the institution’s fiscal crisis.
“The governor has accomplished much for the university including the building of the new College of Business and Public Administration, as well as providing funding for critical capital improvement projects at the Mangilao campus,” Gumataotao added.
Board chairman Richard Tennessen wrote to the governor on Saturday, apologizing for the Faculty Senate’s statement.
“While we recognize that the Faculty Senate has the right to express their views on academic matters pertaining to the university, we regret the manner in which this was handled,” Tennessen stated in his letter to Camacho.
“Neither the board nor the president had any prior knowledge that such action was contemplated or had been taken,” he added.