Douglas says evidence shows Ross University will return to Dominica

Ross University students at a new location after Hurricane Maria

Parliamentary Representative of the Portsmouth Constituency Ian Douglas has said that he anticipates Ross University School of Medicine will return to Dominica as there is evidence on campus to suggest so.

Following the passage of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, Ross announced in a press release that 1,400 students, faculty, and staff would relocate temporarily to Knoxville, Tenn. to continue their program of study.

“I still anticipate Ross will be back because of the evidence on campus,” Douglas said. “We see the construction of classrooms and buildings.”

According to Douglas, he doesn’t think that the investors at Ross University would have commenced reconstruction of more climate resilient buildings if they had no intention of returning.

“We are very happy for that,” he stated.

He pointed out that in the first phase the school authorities have indicated that the students in St Kitts will be moved back, “and gradually we hope that all of the students will eventually come back to the home campus at Picard.”

Douglas revealed that the government of Dominica continues to dialogue with the school authorities and there are certain things he said there are certain things that have to be put in place.

“Like the infrastructure, the roads, the road to and from Douglas Charles, the road to and from Picard to the hospital, the completion of the hospital and you know that the Chinese will be back on that in full gear, the security and the internet infrastructure around Picard for classrooms and classes for the students,” he explained.

He continued, “There are things that we have to do and we are working on them and the things that Ross University themselves have to do and they are certainly working on them.”

Douglas hopes that in short order he would like to see the return of Ross University School of Medicine by the January Semester of 2019.

“But I cannot speak for the University, I can only continue to implore upon them that everything is being out in place for their return,” he noted.

Prime Minister Skerrit has been banking that Ross University would return sooner rather than later.

He pointed out back in December 2017 that the government hoped “to get Ross to be back in May 2018 … we are also helping the property owners, the Dominican citizens who own properties in Picard to rebuild. That is why we have extended the loan facility at the AID Bank to the property owners so that they could have their apartments fixed, they could be able to buy some new beds – those who need beds – appliances and so forth so that they can get that going in quick order.”

PM Skerrit estimated at the time that about 80 percent of the homes Ross University needs for student accommodation was available.

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41 Comments

  1. Ross
    August 6, 2018

    All of all allu who comment under that post just as bad as Ian Douglas. Ian dog cannot be last…. That ‘happy talk’ kept me sad but joyjoyful. Already the comment shows there are some straight level thinking people. I love the pointers you all have. Shows there are some Dominicans that still have their dignity. When you hear majority of the ruling party supporters speaks on that issue, is like they starting in a Samaritan Purse line waiting on some form of assistance, the only sad thing is no disaster hasn’t hppen, all those things affecting Ross, the small level thinking,feeling with international students and faculty. People had seen the damage yet. That’s 40 years of development that went down the drain. Portmouths was built on Ross University not the other way wrong.
    But allu cannot see is the Prime minister that tell Ian he better say something to keep the people quiet. This are the mind games the play with peole daily live, people livelihood. But the facts speak for…

  2. g
    July 26, 2018

    Dominica can play hardball by threatening to pull the charter for the school

  3. d-a born
    June 6, 2018

    How does a minister not have solid information to give and is relying on speculation? D/a really needs help.

  4. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    June 5, 2018

    Ian; again you have exposed your inept, your  incompetence, your foolish mentality as usual. Maria caused as much damage to Ross University School of Medicine; at some point the debris  has to be cleaned up even if the entire premisses are abandoned!

    The evidence you claim you saw might simply be a figment of your imagination; just another of your illusions. If Ross University had any intentions of returning to Dominica, they would not have left it up to your delusional imagination; they would have officially inform you!

    If they own the ground (land) the buildings are erected on, they are obligated to clean up and remove the debris, but until they officially announce they are returning, your speculation has no actual value; you are simply fantasizing! 

    When businesses leaves Dominica, they do not return; and always they go to another Caribbean island. So that should tell you the problem is not the island; it is because of people like you and Skerrit which caused them to leave!

  5. zandoli
    June 5, 2018

    Douglas sounds like he is speculating on the return of Ross. All he needs to do is get on the phone and call Ross for an update.

    • Chess game
      June 5, 2018

      That would be too easy. Then again they may be too busy to answer this guy. Have you ever heard him or Isaac speak or had a conversation with him? I have and it’s not pretty, nothing to look forward to. Not surprising.

    • Real!!!!!
      June 6, 2018

      Zandoli………….He is afraid to call Ross..LOLOL

  6. love I
    June 5, 2018

    I hope Portsmouth vote all of you out. Hopeless. You all should just resign

  7. SPorts On island
    June 5, 2018

    Ian why would you make such comments on such an important issue. Sometimes it’s best to say nothing at all. I said once Dominica put all it eggs in Ross basket one day it will come back to bite them. Now it’s happening thanks to maria. Your comments should I just spoke to Ross and they said they will be back in 2019. Not i see them building that tells me they will be back. So you see Jane pregnant and you just assume it’s for Paul. Well look rum shop politics. Ian a lot of people depends on Ross so please go and do the people work.

  8. Paul Rossnof
    June 5, 2018

    Ok DNO, since you did not publish my previous comment I have to assume that the Dictator has taken control of you as well. Good luck with that. If you had done your job properly it would not be left to people like me to make Dominican citizens aware of the recklessness Skerrit is doing.

  9. hmmmmm
    June 4, 2018

    Aye Ian….where the construction you talking about? I am on Campus everyday, so what am I missing?

    Keep fooling the fools. I am going to save this article for future reference.

    • Brandon
      June 24, 2018

      Would you happen to have recent information and pictures of campus and the status of it and Portsmouth? I am very curious to see how reconstruction is going and how people are doing.

  10. Davido
    June 4, 2018

    The government has issues but Ian Douglas is a special case!! Ian Douglas has become a burden to the labor party administration. Better they just give possie to Regie Austrie for business to get done and for this foolishness to stop. MR PM can you please just remove ALL DUTIES from IAN DOUGLAS and ship him to an island in the Pacific ocean so he can STOP embarrassing our beloved party and PM! Every time Ian open his mouth its pure rubbish that coming out! Enough is enough!

  11. Stubborn Facts.
    June 4, 2018

    Ok Ian let’s talk evidence for a minute and give me your take: #1. It is a fact that the Morrocan hotel, near cabrits was built over five years ago. To confirm that evidence over a 100 young people from the north received training and certificates for employment. Can you imagine if persons invested in buses to transport visitors to that hotel. There was indeed evidence but that was it! #2. It is a fact that the coffee plant was built in One Mile Portsmouth, five years ago. Luckily Dominicans were not asked to invest in it because now more people would die from stress. #3. It is a fact that the abatoir was built to the point that Skerrit’ rushed to the parliament to increase the price of imported birds and meats, because according to them, Dominica was going to flood the market . People invested but all they are left with is a loan to pay back. The business environment is terrible under Skerrit and Dominicans better becareful they don’t put themselves in more debt. Wait I say!!!!

    • Shaka Zulu
      June 5, 2018

      Thanks.. I did not get to these yet. You see the list of crap. Ian must be asking himself why is he still winning elections in possi and i think he knows as well as i do the electorate is dumb. The evidence is clear. I would line them up one by one on sugarloaf estate and whip the stupidity out thier heads. 40 years and this is what a country accept as leadership and advancement. It is mind boggling.

  12. Ibo France
    June 4, 2018

    Before engaging in this ‘happy talk’ that Ross University will be returning to Dominica, get some sort of definitive confirmation from the horse’s mouth. This is not a factual assertion, it’s nothing more than conjecture. Yes, every good citizen should wish for Ross University to return and resume business as usual. This will certainly boost economic activity and put well needed cash in the pockets of many locals. Ross has demanded that government put specific things in place before they can think about returning. The question is, will the usually lethargic government be nimble enough to get these requirements done in a timely manner? Your guess is as good as mine.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      June 5, 2018

      Ibo, you did not say what exactly Ross needs in place for them to return; but I am sure one of the obstacles in the way is an International Airport!

      And they have every right to demand that; and another thing: as an institution which depends on foreign students to keep their business going, they should demand the right to build dormitories to accommodate the students.

      Fact is they may not return as long as Roosevelt and his gang of  corrupted ……. are power!

      • Ibo France
        June 5, 2018

        I definitely concur with all that you have stated. You have hit the nail on the head. You seem to possess great foresight. I believe the country would have much more advanced if people of your caliber were made advisors.
        When most of these Ministers of government open their mouths, the foolishness that emanates is astoundingly mind boggling.

      • Gary
        June 6, 2018

        The old saying holds true, birds of a feather flock together. What makes you sure that one of the obstacles preventing Ross to return is an International Airport. Did Ross University ever make such demand publicly for their return to Dominica. Do you know how long Ross University has been in Dominica, why would the University invest millions over the years and now suddenly demand an International Airport for their return, it wasn’t an issue them why now.

        You ridicule The Minister for making a statement saying that the evidence he claims he saw might simply be a figment of his imagination, I wonder,
        where did you get your information regarding Ross demand for an International Airport, isn’t it from your imagination. Do you know how silly you are, doing something you are accusing someone of doing, and by the way you live in LA, how do you know what The Minister saw and observed in his constituency was a figment of his imagination, so long for your nonsense.

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        June 7, 2018

        Don’t you know that more than ninety percent of Ross student body are from North America? I met people from Los Angeles, and Arizona who studied at Ross University in Dominica. I know a judge who went missing from his bench in a Los Angeles Court, only to be found at Ross Medical School in Dominica.

        The last time I traveled to Dominica, it took me eighteen hours from Los Angeles, to Dominica, and that was after flying for more than five hours from Los Angeles to Miami, on to Puerto Rico, over fly Dominica to St. Lucia, got on LIAT, heading to Dominica, after stopping over in Martinique.

        Gary, from Los Angeles to Jamaica is approximately six (6) hours, if there was a direct flight from LAX to Dominica, the duration of the flight would be less than eight (8) hours; and by the way; by the time my daughter and I got to Dominica, we had no clothes all are lost to this day!

        That might be a complaint of the students!

    • Gary
      June 5, 2018

      Why should the Miniter observation be described as happy talk, isn’t it a valid observation. When I hear you say this is not a factual assertion it’s nothing more than a conjecture I laugh at your nonsense. I have told you before you are very skillful in propaganda. Do you know the number of things you have asserted about Dominica, were they ever factual assertions, of course not. Your criticism just shows what you lack, it is easier to criticize than to be correct.

      • Ibo France
        June 6, 2018

        Gary, welcome back. Where were you? Seems like you were hibernating during Spring and Summer, very strange indeed! The problem with you sycophants of Skerrit, truth is the new hate speech. You, Gary, are an adversary of honesty, rational thinking and constructive criticism. You have a propensity of accusing others for exactly who you are. You are a distributor and defender of the Skerrit’s regime disastrous propaganda and wrongdoings. Your soul is chronically ill, your conscience nonexistent and your labeling of the government’s ‘conscientious objectors’ as propagandists is so absurd. Go take a nap, Gary.

    • Gary
      June 6, 2018

      To Ibo France
      Wow, so you know about my soul, pity your ignorance. Your reply to my comment clearly shows who you are, based on the words and language you used to describe me. Why such worthless accusations about me, it’s the same manner with your comments which you make on a daily basis. You are entitled to your political partisan beliefs and but not entitled to make accusations which are not factual simple because of political differences.

  13. Roseau River
    June 4, 2018

    Unless Ross has stated they will not return to Dominica, I would take the approach that Ross U will be back…Hopefully by 2019, if not sooner. Lord knows we need all the economic activity we can get.

  14. FBI Agent
    June 4, 2018

    Isn’t Ian Douglas supposed to be a lawyer? Boy he sure doing a lot of injustice to the law school he attended with his rum shop talk. I say run shop talk because is only guys in the rum shop talking foolishness like that. Ian Ross is coming back; your government is in constant talk with them and they gave your government a list of things they want done. But Ian, WHEN did they tell your government they coming? You mean up to this time they have not given the government a date for their return? So Ian based of evidence on the ground I should take a loan to buy fix my apartment and buy furniture in preparation for Ross, but NO commitment from Ross? Ian Ross has to deal with parents who pressured Ross about the lack of International Airport, very poor communication and the overall pressure they experienced during Maria. Left to Ross they would have been back longtime ago but it is their parents, insurance and other issues they have to deal with. Ross can sell at anytime so relax

    • Anonymous
      June 5, 2018

      Not only is Ian Douglas a lawyer, he was Dominica’s Attorney General no less. But would you use him as your family lawyer, don’t even mention a brief for your defence? Skerrit should dismiss him but perhaps he knows where too many skeletons are buried.

  15. Anonymous
    June 4, 2018

    Or perhaps they are repairing their properties so that they can more easily sell them

  16. Faceup
    June 4, 2018

    So them home owners that there house are damaged who rent there properties to students, when they take loan to fix there house. How are they to pay that loan when there are no student to rent it?.

  17. LifeandDeath
    June 4, 2018

    Ross will Return when Government Changes in Dominica…it’s like the most dunce Dominicans running the country into the ground now..Why the West Coast doh have Bridges since Erika?..You all Joking and Ross will hold out till capable people come to office…Ian time to go do something else..You and the whole DLP have lost their way..the PPl of Portsmouth must not vote you in Politics again, go and Develop RBD estates..so much land wasted..
    SMH on the state of affairs in Dominica, and they just keep turning people around in circles..

  18. Sam
    June 4, 2018

    That’s what u call educated fools

  19. badbaje
    June 4, 2018

    Good afternoon Mr. Douglas, and I commend you for all the hard work and encouragement where the preparation for the return of Ross University is concerned. However, like you said in your statement, YOU CANNOT SPEAK FOR ROSS. Having said that I would like you to contact someone WHO CAN SPEAK FOR ROSS, and find out from them their timeline for returning to Dominica, if you will. I would also like to recommend that you canvass for some scholarships for Dominican students at Ross University. After all, there must be some benefit for Ross, or they would not have been here in the first place, and they certainly would not be returning after such a disaster, unless they were benefiting in some way. So how about you seeing about getting some scholarships for Dominican students at Ross.

    • John Jay
      June 4, 2018

      But you know this is politics. Trying to catch a straw. It would a good thing but not something President Trump warn them, YOU GIVE ME I GIVE YOU.
      So they have have to get the Morrocans to come and set up schools here.
      They love the U.S$$$$$.BUT HATE TO SUPPORT THE U.S and want student back.

    • I am mine own
      June 4, 2018

      I’ve heard that the Dominican medical students do not have to pay tuition at Ross.

  20. Neverson St jean
    June 4, 2018

    Based on your so called things that Ross wants to see done before they return, the wait will be very lonv

  21. Shaka Zulu
    June 4, 2018

    Ian i also have evidence that possi have some of the most retarded electorate in Dominica. Just take a walk around Portsmouth a place in my opinion that is key to Dominica advancement and development. 40 years they voting one party and one family for no reason while the place like a glorified dump. Why do you have all those galvanize on the highway in point round on bothe sides of the road? Why is it you guys continue to pave donkey track in picard with no drainage and parking for motorist when you have huge apartments and homes for students? Why is it tbe beachfront is so untidy and still have old boats? Why is it the movie theater looks like a dump and there are no bowling alleys and other enticing things that would make students want to have thier families come visit for Christmas instead of fly home? Why is it there are not more gov services in possi so people dont have to go Roseau get a passport for example? Why port not used when roseau is overwhelmed? ……………

    • Blah Hah
      June 5, 2018

      All of this points to one thing..This Government is very wicked and is failing the people of Dominica miserably!!!!!!!!!! Yet still we continue to vote and defend them. It is sad!

  22. Floridian Diaspora
    June 4, 2018

    Another worthless climate resilient statement from a DLP clown. Didn’t they say that that would be back by May? Now we are in June. Off course they would give anything thing to have Ross university back because they know that they’re not capable of creating sustainable jobs in any part of the island without the help of foreigners. Deep down inside they know if Ross ceas to exist in Dominica then Portsmouth is finished. NEP just won’t cut it. Too much of our young people are turning into weed wackers

  23. Toto
    June 4, 2018

    Ian you mean to say you Don’t know for sure? You are speculating but not communicatie with Ross’, the largest employer in your constItuency. You mean to say that Ross arenot talking to you, not confiing in you? Malgraysa

  24. As I see it
    June 4, 2018

    Ian, like you said evidence on the ground suggest that Ross is indeed coming back. However, what you did not say is that Ross is preparing with the knowledge that general election is in 2019 and they are very hopeful that Dominica will vote in a serious government to replace those joker’s and corrupt Skerrit that is now in office. Trust me Should dlp happen to steal the election again, Ross and everything good we still have, will kiss Dominica goodbye

  25. Ted Lewis
    June 4, 2018

    My Good Friend Ian Douglass, Maria was just the icing on the cake for Ross . Ross must have been so frustrated with the pedestrian pace of reconstruction of bridges from Portsmouth to roseau since Erika . Our vulnerability and lack of proper medical facilities was also exposed since Erika . Most importantly this government fail to execute a proper Bipartisan plan for the redevelopment of Dominica since Erika . Your government , Ian has been an election government , always in election mode buying vote via small business development and NEP. Millions have wasted on these program , and its evidence when more than 70 percent of who got assistance for small business, could not show that business
    prior to maria. Each honest person can call ten individual that they knew,would have gotten funds from this program and never even attempted to start a business. Guys was saying pay a man $1200 for a business plan and collect $20000 from small business. All this funds could have

  26. Zor Sot
    June 4, 2018

    Wait a minute, you and your administration have not met with Ross’ personnel? You talking on assumption that they will because of construction????

    Man them people are jokers!!!

    BUT SERIOUSLY, WHAT FOOLISHNESS IS THIS???

    THIS GOVERNMENT PLAYING WITH PEOPLE LIVES EH!!! MAN YOU NOT SEEING PICARD EMPTY? THE LITTL LOCAL ECONOMY THERE JUST DIE!!!

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