The acting chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU) has confirmed four more members of the university council have resigned, following last week’s exit of former chancellor Julie Bishop.
In an email addressed to all students today, Dr Larry Marshall said that ministerially appointed council members Tanya Hosch, Wayne Martin, Rob Whitfield, and Padma Raman were all leaving.
It follows the departure of another council member, Alison Kitchen, in recent days.
Tanya Hosch is among the four council members who resigned from the ANU. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)
“I would like to sincerely thank these former council members for their service and contributions to ANU during a challenging period for the university,” Dr Marshall said in the email.
“I would also like to acknowledge and thank the six elected staff and student representatives on council, and the chair of the academic board, who continue to contribute their service.”University secretary also resigns
The university will put forward nominees to replace the departing council members to the education minister. (Four Corners: Mark Hiney)
In addition to the council members resigning, university secretary Phillip Tweedie has also left his position.
“Interim arrangements are being put in place while the university considers longer-term governance, legal and risk structures within the services portfolio,” Dr Marshall said regarding Mr Tweedie’s departure.
Work has begun to appoint a new chancellor to replace Ms Bishop, with Emeritus Professor Peter Coaldrake leading the recruitment process.
The resignations come at a tumultuous time for the institution, amid several concurrent investigations into its governance, finances and culture.
‘Not enough just to change the bums in the seats’: Union
Lachlan Clohesy of the National Tertiary Education Union says the union would like to see changes to how ANU council members are appointed. (ABC News: Stuart Carnegie)
National Tertiary Education Union ACT branch secretary Lachlan Clohsey welcomed the resignations, but said the governance issues at ANU had been “incredibly damaging” for all.
“We think these resignations are appropriate, but some of the broader issues go to the structure of governance at the university,” Dr Clohsey said.
“ANU Council, in our view, has failed in its duty to provide oversight for the university.
“So it’s not enough just to change the bums in the seats, we actually need to change the structure of how ANU is governed overall.”
He said the union would like to see changes to how people are appointed to ANU Council.
Dr Marshall said nominees to replace the former council members would soon be put to the education minister for consideration.