BOTH the incumbent and president-elect of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Student Guild are denying reports that there has been misappropriation of student funds.

Allegations have arisen that the coffers of the Student Guild are being used to pay for personal vehicles and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) apartments.

An e-mail sent to the Express stated that students at UWI in Trinidad are upset that executive members are allegedly using guild funds to pay down on HDC homes and cars.

Outgoing president Kevin Ramsewak, in a telephone interview with the Express yesterday, said the allegation first surfaced three years ago during the Guild's election. He added the allegation re-surfaced and he dismissed there being any truth to it.

Ramsewak said there could not be any mismanagement of student funds as there are stringent checks and balances to ensure no such thing happens.

He added there are no cash transactions that take place concerning the Guild.

Ramsewak said all transactions take place through UWI's administration office and payments are made through cheques for accountability.

Ramsewak said the issue of purchasing a vehicle surfaced three years ago when a council member purchased a car and rumours spread that he dipped into the students' funds to purchase the vehicle.

Newly-elected president Alexander Johnson, in a telephone interview, said the allegations were made during a debate leading up to the March 14 guild elections when he defeated Ramsewak.

Johnson said the issue was just mud-slinging that seems to have spilled over.

Johnson, who will take up the role of head of the student body on April 1, said two other presidential candidates were accused of the improper behaviour during the debate. He added there was no proof to substantiate the claims.