Successful negotiations by Bermuda College students have secured a job extension for the associate manager of recreational and sports programmes and facilities.

Norbert Simons -- who was made redundant due to a lack of funds last week -- was due to finish his 11-year-tenure at the college on April 30 but will remain there until the end of the semester.

And a new position may be created which Mr. Simons could fill in the next college year after a move to restructure the organisation concludes.

A 100-strong student protest last Tuesday and a follow up meeting yesterday morning saw the administration change its mind.

About 25 students met with college vice president Donald Peters at 10 a.m. and after 45 minutes the news was announced.

Student council president Odia Vassell said: "Mr. Simons will be assured of work until the end of this school semester and as of next year a new position will possibly be made available that can incorporate Mr. Simons if he so desires.'' Student Mitchell Trott said: "As of now, this will suffice.'' Dr. Peters released a statement to Ms Vassell at the conclusion of the meeting which said: "Under the current situation, there is no funding allocated for the position that Mr. Simons now holds. However, based on your request and my own evaluation of our staffing situation in the student activities area, we will reallocate funds temporarily to maintain Mr. Simons on staff at least until the end of the semester.'' In the statement, Dr. Peters also noted that the Student Affairs division was in the midst of a total evaluation and reorganisation which included a reevaluation of all its positions.

He added: "It is important that you understand that as a result of the reorganisation, positions may have to be reclassified, but, I think it is safe to conclude that given the amount of work to be done in student activities, that a staff position will be needed to work with students and student organisations and Mr. Simons will be considered as a candidate to continue the work that he has being doing with you.'' Dr. Peters told The Royal Gazette that he felt the meeting was successful and the students had carried themselves in a very positive way.

It was only appropriate for the students to ask questions about policy decisions if they took an interest in the college, he continued.

"If the students feel they are being impacted by a decision then we need to review that decision.'' Dr. Peters said: "In terms of resolving the issue, the students told me they would like the college to maintain Mr. Simons. I have agreed to reallocate funding so we can keep Norbert Simons until the end of the semester.

He stressed: "I have no problem with Mr. Simons and in my reading he works well with the students and is very close to them. That works well for me because, to me, the students come before everything else.'' However he added that the college simply did not have the money to pay Mr.

Simons which was why it was in an ongoing restructuring process.

"The college position is that the staff is very important to us and we would like to keep everyone but sometimes that is not possible.'' Dr. Peters promised the whole area of student activities would be coming under close scrutiny during the restructuring process.

"In terms of reorganisation, we will work with what we have so as to get people in places to deal with student growth and development.

"In my experience, academic and developmental growth must go hand in hand for the students to successfully enter higher education or the work force.

Student activities were key to helping create "a supportive and educational environment'', continued Dr. Peters.

"I know it is understaffed and needs to be better structured so it benefits all students.'' STUDENTS FOR TEACHERS -- From left, Bermuda College student Mitchell Trott, Student Council secretary Ilethea Morris and president Odia Vassell at the conclusion of their successful bid to save the job of official Norbert Simons.

UNIONS UNS