vice-president Donald Peters to be fired after he branded a colleague a racist in a row over a revamp of the administrative structure.

One said: "It's racist, it's a violation of human rights, it's inflammatory and unprofessional.

"Many people in the College -- irrespective of colour -- find this extremely offensive.

"It's an insult to all right-thinking people, above and beyond race, sex or national origin.'' College staff challenged the Human Rights Commission to launch a probe with a view to carpeting Dr. Peters.

The black insider went on to warn: "Organisations are sued for this kind of behaviour.'' Staffers warned the college -- already suffering from low admissions -- would be damaged further by the race row rocking the Stonington campus.

And one said: "The actions of the vice-president demonstrate a blatant disrespect for diversity -- and the diversity which Bermuda College serves.'' Another added: "You cannot ignore the serious racial connotations and the blatant attempt at advancing or negating something based on the issue of race.'' Board chairman, Hamilton West MP Randy Horton, said yesterday he had just arrived back from holiday and could not comment until he had discussed Dr.

Peters' memo with College chiefs.

And Dr. Peters, through a spokeswoman, also refused to comment on his memo -- or defend his position. Education Minister Milton Scott said the College has a high degree of autonomy -- and referred questions to Mr. Horton or college president George Cook.

The memo -- sent to 13 black members of the College staff and leaked to The Royal Gazette -- attacked college chief financial officer Barbara Green, a white US citizen, over her proposals for reorganisation at the college contained in a confidential memo sent to three senior staff, including Dr.

Peters and president George Cook.

Dominican-born Dr. Peters, also a US citizen, accused Ms Green of "empire-building'' and undermining his role of VP Academic and Student Affairs, due to be taken over by Bermudian Larita Alford next year.

Dr. Peters wrote: "It is ironic that no matter how we try to prove that we are equal to others, people like the CFO and her cohorts at this college still believe that they are superior and will continue to disrespect the institution and value of black people.'' The memo was written after Ms Green submitted suggestions in a confidential memo for a revamp.

The proposals included removing some operational responsibilities from the VP Academic VP and adding some to the CFO role, with a new title of VP Finance and Administration.

Dr. Peters wrote: "Apparently, the CFO believes that we at Bermuda College have been doing it all wrong and that Vice President's position has too much authority. After all, in the United States, black people are not allowed to have much authority. The CFO's solution is to appoint herself in charge of everything.'' A college staffer said: "There are people in the college who are really questioning this man -- and if the Board of Governors condone these comments, they need to be questioned too.

Peters in race row college and is considered inflammatory, offensive and highly embarrassing.'' The staffer added: "And either the Government supports this man, his conduct and his comments, or if they don't, he has to resign. If the Board do support him, the Board should go as well. And we hope that Barbara Green has the gumption to file a civil action.'' Insiders pointed out that the Peters memo had -- in some cases -- bypassed department chiefs and been sent to their assistants instead.

One said: "There isn't much to the Green proposal at all -- it's just a reorganisation suggestion.

"Dr. Peters wasn't bypassed -- it was sent to him in a spirit of congeniality. It certainly doesn't warrant this venomous attack.

"And he's bypassed the college president, which undermines his position and authority.'' Another added: "It's no wonder, with this type of attitude being perpetrated at the highest level of the college, that we're not attracting the numbers or calibre of students we would want.'' And the staffer warned: "The college can afford no more damage. This is nothing to do with Donald Peters -- it's to do with Bermuda's economy, it's reputation and the future of the only institute of higher learning on the Island.

"It's time Bermudians spoke up and said `enough is enough' and take the destiny of educational institutions into their own hands.'' Another said: "Dr. Peters is also implying he has the support of the chairman of the Board of Governors, which is a political appointment.

"He's mixing party politics with Bermuda College administration in strategic matters and that will not help the college at all.'' UNDER FIRE FOR MEMO: Bermuda College vice-president Dr. Donald Peters DISCRIMINATION DIS