Senior staff at the Bermuda College have been reminded of the "professional courtesy" of informing the administration of plans to bring in speakers for public forums and panel discussions.

Some staffers are concerned at what they see as a threat to academic freedom but the College insists that the reminder is not an attempt to put the reins on public speech.

Some College staffers said they have been told of a new policy which would require public forums held at the College to be approved by the Board of Governors. "That is incorrect," said College spokesperson Evelyn James Barnett. "There is no new policy."

Questioned further she said there was no policy at all on visiting speakers at the College.

"There is no policy on that. I think one would probably be developed sometime in the future." She said staff had been asked to keep the administration informed of their plans as a matter of "professional courtesy".

Staff confirmed a meeting on May 20 between College vice president Larita Alford and senior staff members during which Ms Alford said that they would have to let their line officers know when speakers were being brought in and that a policy would have to be put in place.

"I would always inform my line officers, so I couldn't understand why it was being told to us," said one staffer.

Ms James Barnett denied conjecture among a number of staffers that the College had been prompted into action by a recent forum on the black community and a recent talk by visiting Cuban lecturer Lazaro Rodriguez.

The College was becoming more heavily involved in the community through forums and panel discussions held there and the administration simply wanted to make sure the planning and promotion of the events were structured, that the College's image was protected and that College lecturers had an opportunity to participate.

"We are doing more public performances. We're partnering more with the community," she continued.

"That's the direction the College feels it should be going but certainly with that academic freedom comes responsibility."

This week the College hosted a free lecture by Mr. Rodriguez on `Education and Culture: The Cuban Experience'.

Mr. Rodriguez' visit sparked some controversy when he defended recent executions of ferry hijackers in his country.

Government has been criticised by the Opposition United Bermuda Party (UBP) for looking into a formal understanding with the Caribbean country and for its plans to send them some Bermuda buses.

College staffers are reported to be concerned that the College's response may be related to the controversy over Cuba and the visit of Mr. Rodriguez.

The Bermuda College's Division of Continuing Education and Training, headed by Eugenie Simmons, hosted the lecture as well as newspaper ads promoting a recent forum organised by a new group, Black Alliance.

Ms Simmons would not comment on the speculation at the College when contacted yesterday.

"Nobody will be denied permission," said Ms James Barnett when asked if she could imagine a scenario in which a department was denied permission to bring someone in.

"Because the College recognises its unique position as the only institution of tertiary learning and we are willing to fulfil it."