TENSIONS at the University of New England (UNE) have eased slightly with positive feedback from the UNE community towards the appointment of former judge and mediator Sir Laurence Street.
At a UNE Council meeting on Monday, the appointment of the former NSW chief justice and his duties as mediator in the ongoing power struggle between Chancellor John Cassidy and Vice-Chancellor Alan Pettigrew was formally discussed by the whole council. It was the first time that the full council had had the chance to formally debate the development, which was approved last week in Sydney at a meeting of the select standing committee.
Mr Cassidy and Prof Pettigrew sat next to each other throughout Monday’s meeting, which was described by council member Herman Beyersdorf as ‘a bit tense’, and by deputy chancellor James Harris as ‘remarkably cool and collected’.
The standing committee put to council the terms of reference of Sir Laurence, which were accepted.
They are that Sir Laurence review the roles of Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor, both now and in the future; to set out a framework for the appraisal of the performance of the Vice-Chancellor for the future; to do an appraisal of the performance of the Vice-Chancellor now, and to investigate any other related matters.
It is understood council members welcomed Sir Laurence’s appointment. Mr Harris lauded Sir Laurence’s integrity while Dr Beyersdorf said he held the legal icon in high regard.
The UNE Council meeting on Monday was closed to the public, but moved into an open session in the afternoon - and Dr Beyersdorf said the controversial atmosphere helped to move things along.
Mr Cassidy left the room while the item of the process for the election of the Chancellor was discussed - a position he has indicated he will renominate for.
Dr Beyersdorf said he put forward the motion that a committee or working party be formed to receive submissions from all of the UNE community, not just council, similar to ‘a selection committee’.
“That was approved without much discussion,” Dr Beyersdorf said.
“I personally hope this process, which seems to be a fair and diligent process, will produce a number of names of suitable people so council can make the final decision and have a bit of choice as to who council finds to be the best person to lead UNE in a formal sense for the next five years.
“I’m personally not supportive of re-electing John Cassidy, but a majority of council may well do so.”
Mr Harris said he believes the uproar that has erupted over the leadership crisis between the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor has been a ‘highly unfortunate situation’.
“It’s made the university community a little nervous, which is a pity, because we were beginning to go places,” Mr Harris said.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor will chair the committee that will sift through chancellor applications.
He said it is now a waiting game for the university to find out what Sir Laurence’s report will produce.
“You can’t second guess him (though), so there’s no point trying.”