The University of Newcastle will reappoint Paul Jeans as chancellor after former deputy prime minister and Whitehaven Coal Chairman Mark Vaile turned down the offer in response to widespread opposition.
The University Council members decided to reappoint Jeans at a meeting on Tuesday, June 22.
Vaile was offered the chancellor role earlier this month and intended to hold the role while maintaining his position as Chairman of Whitehaven Coal.
This sparked concerns within the community, including university staff, students and alumni, who saw a conflict of interest considering the university’s position on climate change. The institution’s strategic plan, Looking Ahead, has a goal to become carbon neutral by 2025.
On June 21, The University of Newcastle released a statement advising that Vaile would no longer proceed with the role of chancellor.
“Mr Vaile said that he commends the University for its ethos as a unifying force, of and for our region and the communities it serves,” it said.
“Based on feedback from some of the University’s constituents, he believes that the best course of action is not to proceed with the appointment.
“We respect Mr Vaile’s decision and recognise that he has made this decision in the best interests of the University.”
In protest over the appointment of Vaile, Professor Jennifer Martin resigned from the University of Newcastle, Australia Institute chief economist Richard Denniss returned his alumni award for national leadership, and two protests were held by staff and students.
Additionally, 16 philanthropists who all donate millions to university projects each year wrote an open letter featured in the Newcastle Herald, stating they would no longer fund or support the university over the decision to appoint Vaile.
Vaile told ABC News that there had been an “unprecedented and unjust campaign” against him and his appointment.
“I’ve just taken the view that it’s in the best interests of the university and the community that it serves if I decline the invitation and withdraw from the process,” Vaile said.
Vaile added that most pressures had come from “minority groups placing ideology before proper governance”.
Greens candidate for Ward 3 and university alumna Sinéad Francis-Coan said Vaile was a “highly inappropriate choice” for chancellor.
“The university has very strong climate commitments and delivers 100 per cent renewable energy across Newcastle and Central Coast campuses; they are also aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025,” she said.
“The ‘minority’ Vaile refers to are students, staff, alumni, donors and the broader community, so I’m not sure how that classifies as a minority.
“This so-called minority can also claim governance experience in a range of contexts but also span multiple political parties including no political party, so the only ‘ideological’ alignment was our opposition to his appointment.
“If you are a part of a company that is strongly associated with the Minerals Council of Australia that are lobbying against climate action, then that’s a direct conflict of interest.”
University of Newcastle Students Association president Luke Harrison said he was pleased to hear of Vaile’s decision.
“UNSA welcomes this decision, and we’re delighted that students won,” he said.
“We would like to thank all of the students, staff, alumni and wider university community for coming together to oppose this decision.
“We will now be advocating for greater transparency, accountability, and stakeholder consultation from the University Council.”
Newcastle School Strike 4 Climate said in a social media post that Vaile’s reviewed decision was “proof that social movements work”.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in the campaign,” it said.
“We need to keep fighting to ensure our leaders act on the science to stop climate change and our voices are listened to when making these decisions.”
Commenting on his reappointment, Paul Jeans said he was committed to maintaining the strong momentum in executing the institution’s strategic plan Looking Ahead.
“I look forward to working with our communities, in particular our staff and students, to take our university forward.”
Hayley McMahon
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