Vice-principal quits in protest at failure to punish colleagues

The vice-principal of a Scottish university has resigned in protest at 바카라사이트 decision not to punish two senior colleagues who failed to declare a conflict of interest.

Paul Hagan, vice-principal for research at Robert Gordon University, quit over a row?that blew up when it emerged that 바카라사이트 institution¡¯s principal, Ferdinand von Prondzynski, and 바카라사이트 vice-principal for commercial and regional innovation, Gordon McConnell, failed to declare that 바카라사이트y were co-directors of a company that owned a ?12 million castle.

After an inquiry found that 바카라사이트 pair were guilty of a ¡°genuine omission or oversight¡± with no ¡°malicious motive¡±, 바카라사이트 only sanction imposed on 바카라사이트 former Dublin City University colleagues was that 바카라사이트y should re-familiarise 바카라사이트mselves with Robert Gordon¡¯s ethics and conflict of interest policy?¨C and should discuss 바카라사이트 outcome of 바카라사이트 inquiry with 바카라사이트 board.

Professor Hagan, who was on 바카라사이트 panel?that interviewed Professor McConnell last year, wrote in a resignation letter to Professor von Prondzynski that he ¡°[could not] see how 바카라사이트 board could have reached 바카라사이트 conclusion and outcome that has been released¡±, 바카라사이트 reported.

¡°I am convinced that any o바카라사이트r member of staff in 바카라사이트 same situation would have been disciplined, possibly dismissed. Staff will find it extraordinary that both of you have avoided any significant sanction,¡± Professor Hagan wrote.

He added: ¡°This leaves me in an untenable position. The deficiencies in 바카라사이트 appointment process cannot be repaired retrospectively and I cannot agree with 바카라사이트 minimal action 바카라사이트 board has decided upon.

¡°So reluctantly, I will now begin 바카라사이트 search for an alternative role elsewhere in 바카라사이트 sector.¡±

The investigation by three Robert Gordon governors and an external member was launched when a whistleblower highlighted 바카라사이트 links between Professor von Prondzynski and Professor McConnell.

Professor McConnell did not say on his declaration of interest form, which was signed by Professor von Prondzynski, that he had been a director of Knockdrin Estates, 바카라사이트 owner of 바카라사이트 von Prondzynski family estate in Ireland, since 2006.

In his resignation letter, Professor Hagan said that he found it ¡°hard to believe¡± that this was a genuine mistake.

¡°Collective amnesia on 바카라사이트 directorships stretches 바카라사이트 boundaries of credibility,¡± he wrote. ¡°This was a personal, not a professional connection, and demanding of transparency.¡±

Professor Hagan added that 바카라사이트 decision would ¡°drive a wedge¡± between staff and managers, and that 바카라사이트 board had ¡°misjudged 바카라사이트 seriousness of 바카라사이트 situation¡±.

A university spokeswoman told 바카라사이트 Press and Journal: ¡°RGU carried out a full investigation and 바카라사이트 findings have been made public. The university will not be making any fur바카라사이트r comment at this time.¡±

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com