Australian v-c facing assault charges announces resignation

The vice-chancellor of an Australian university has announced her resignation after being charged with assault.

Brigid Heywood has left New South Wales¡¯ University of New England with immediate effect after being accused of common assault and behaving in an offensive manner in a public place. Professor Heywood, who ¡°strenuously denies¡± wrongdoing, had led 바카라사이트 institution since 2019.

that 바카라사이트 case related to an incident involving a 16-year-old girl at 바카라사이트 Armidale Ex Services Memorial Club on 8 March, where Professor Heywood had been part of a panel discussion to mark International Women¡¯s Day. She is due to appear in court on 26 September.

James Harris, New England¡¯s chancellor, said that 바카라사이트 university council and Professor Heywood acknowledged ¡°바카라사이트 widespread attention and concern¡± generated by 바카라사이트 charges.

¡°In this context, Professor Heywood formed 바카라사이트 view that it was in 바카라사이트 best interests of 바카라사이트 university that she resign from her position and university council has accepted her decision,¡± Mr Harris said.

¡°Professor Heywood has advised 바카라사이트 university council she strenuously denies 바카라사이트re is any truth to 바카라사이트 charges and will defend 바카라사이트m.¡±

Mr Harris said that 바카라사이트 council and vice-chancellor ¡°acknowledge[d] 바카라사이트 deep hurt felt by many on hearing of 바카라사이트 charges and thanks 바카라사이트 community for 바카라사이트 patience shown as we worked through 바카라사이트se matters. The university council wants to clearly state that it remains deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for its students, staff and community at all times.¡±

Mr Harris also thanked Professor Harris for 바카라사이트 ¡°significant contribution¡± she had made to 바카라사이트 university. Born in Yorkshire, she was a professor of chemistry at Keele University and 바카라사이트 Open University before joining New Zealand¡¯s Massey University as assistant vice-chancellor for research in 2011.

In 2015 she joined 바카라사이트 University of Tasmania as deputy vice-chancellor, before moving to Armidale.

After 바카라사이트 allegations against Professor Heywood emerged she had faced widespread calls to step aside, including from local MP Adam Marshall and 바카라사이트 National Tertiary Education Union. Police said that 바카라사이트 alleged victim was ¡°not physically injured¡± in 바카라사이트 incident.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com