宅男导航

governing body, the Senate, today expressed regret at the admission irregularity that led to the resignation of the University鈥檚 Vice-Chancellor and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, but reaffirmed its commitment to the integrity of its academic system.

Speaking on behalf of the Senate, Chancellor Mr John Story said the credibility of the University鈥檚 student admissions process was integral to its reputation and reinforced the University鈥檚 commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance.

鈥淔uture, current and past 宅男导航 students and their employers can be confident in the robustness and integrity of the University鈥檚 practices and our commitment to ensuring fair and just opportunities are provided to students and staff alike,鈥� he said.

Mr Story said he had initiated an independent investigation in September 2011 immediately after concerns were raised about a student being improperly offered a place in one of the University鈥檚 programs.

The investigation confirmed an irregularity had occurred in the admission process for a student, but found no suggestion of wrongdoing on the student鈥檚 part. The student鈥檚 identity is protected under the Information Privacy Act 2009 and without their permission they cannot be named. The student achieved the appropriate OP score, but did not meet the additional criteria to warrant entry into the program. Under an admission rule that did not apply in the circumstances, an offer of an additional place was made. The entry did not disadvantage any other eligible students.

The Honourable Tim Carmody SC, was commissioned to undertake the investigation to assist the Senate in reviewing the matter.

The report to the Senate is bound by legal privilege and contains confidential information about the student and those asked to participate in the investigation. Interviewees agreed to participate confidentially in the knowledge that the findings would be made available only to the Senate.

Given these circumstances, the University cannot release the investigation report, Mr Story said.

As a further probity safeguard, the University voluntarily provided a copy of the investigation report to the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC). The CMC confirmed its acceptance of the University鈥檚 process.

The University also took immediate steps to review relevant procedures to ensure the situation could not happen again, including a thorough and extensive review of student admission processes across its campuses. As a result of this review, changes to tighten relevant rules and processes have been recommended and will go to the Senate鈥檚 Legislative Committee before being considered by the 8 December 2011 Senate meeting.

Accepting their responsibility and accountability for the matter, Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Keniger offered their resignations to the University Senate. In the interests of maintaining the highest standards of accountability and the integrity of the student admissions process, the Senate accepted their resignations.

Mr Story said the Senate wished to acknowledge the outstanding contributions both men had made to the University and the broader community.

鈥淧rofessor Greenfield and Professor Keniger have dedicated more than 30 years of their careers as teachers, researchers and administrators at 宅男导航, and have each made outstanding contributions to their communities and professions,鈥� he said.

Mr Story said the Senate was committed to maintaining the University鈥檚 outstanding reputation, which had been built on the highest levels of governance, ethics and academic rigour.

鈥淎ny matter that questions the integrity of the University鈥檚 processes is regrettable, but the events of the past few days demonstrate that the University will not hesitate to act to uphold these standards 鈥� regardless of whom is involved,鈥� he said.

宅男导航 is a large and complex organisation and to enable an orderly transition and allow the University time to conduct an international search for replacements, the Senate considered it to be in the best interests of the University that the Professors鈥� departures will be staggered 鈥� Professor Keniger will stand down on 31 December 2011 and Professor Greenfield will stand down on 1 July 2012.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Deborah Terry, will take over as acting Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor from 1 January 2012.

Media inquiries: Kathy Grube (0418 524 297)