Secrecy as Abertay university chiefs suspended

ONE of Scotland's newest universities has been hit by a leadership crisis following the suspension of the country's longest-serving principal and his deputy.

Abertay University principal Professor Bernard King and vice- principal Prof Nicholas Terry have both been suspended from office on the orders of the University Court.

The two leading members of the institution's executive have been relieved of their duties pending separate investigations into what the university has described as "unrelated issues".

Prof King, who is also convener of Universities Scotland, was suspended from his 222,000-a-year post by the University Court on Saturday. Prof Terry was suspended on 21 January. Prof Steve Olivier, the pro vice-chancellor, has been appointed acting Principal until the court's investigation has been completed.

The outspoken principal - whose beard and love of sailing has earned him the nickname "Captain Pugwash" - has also stepped down from his post as convener of Universities Scotland, the representative body for Scotland's 21 universities and higher education colleges.

Speculation was rife about the reasons behind the suspensions as university and university court officials refused to explain why both men had been removed from their posts while investigations continue.

Some sources pointed to a dispute between the principal and court members over the timing of his departure from office and a struggle for power at the university. Others claimed that the principal's suspension was linked to controversy over curriculum changes and concerns about the his long-term plan for the institution.

• Profile: Prof King

• Profile: Prof Nicholas Terry

One source told The Scotsman: "As far as I am aware the court wanted Prof King, who is approaching retirement age, to end his employment, but he wouldn't give them a date for his departure or retirement."

Nigel Hawkins, the former chief executive of the conservation organisation, the John Muir Trust, who is chairman of the University Court, could not be contacted to explain the reasons behind the suspensions. And a university spokesman refused to comment on the decision.

Tony Axon, a spokesman for the University and College Union, which represents lecturers at Abertay said: "The university has been left in a kind of limbo. I think everyone has been surprised about the suddenness of the announcement. The situation is virtually unprecedented."

News of the suspensions was broken to university staff by e-mail. But Mr Axon said that lecturers had still to be informed about the reason.

"We have certainly had concerns about how the university is being run," he said."Our members have had some concerns on a number of issues - including plans to introduce a whole new curriculum and the way that was being handled and pushed through without adequate consultation."

David Currie, president of the University of Abertay Students' Association, said he could not comment on the two suspensions on the grounds of confidentiality as he is a member of the University Court.

But, asked how the student body was reacting to the news, he said: "I would certainly say they are surprised. Obviously, due to the confidentiality I think there is a bit of confusion as to why the principal and vice principal have been suspended.

"But I do know that several measures have been put in place to ensure the day-to-day running of the university is unaffected.

"Steve Olivier, the pro vice- chancellor, is very well versed in the way the university runs and there will be no affect on the student experience ."

A spokesman for Abertay University said: "The principal and vice-chancellor has been suspended from his duties by the Chair of Court of the university, pending investigation of a number of issues that have been brought to the chair's attention.

"The principal will be away from the university while the investigation is carried out.

"The chair has appointed Prof Steve Olivier as acting principal and vice-chancellor for the time being, and other arrangements are being put in place to ensure that the operations of the university will remain as unaffected as possible.

"We can also confirm that the vice-principal and deputy vice-chancellor was suspended on 21 January, pending investigation of a number of issues that had been brought to the attention of the university. These issues are separate from the issues relating to the principal's suspension."

He added: "We will not comment further on either of these matters while they are the subject of investigations."

Prof King, principal since 1992, has been an outspoken critic of plans to cut university funding. In a recent address to new graduates he claimed that the financial pressures being imposed on Scottish universities were "not sustainable".

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: "We are aware of these issues. This is, of course, a matter for the university's court."