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"Fri, May 01 2026, 15:50:38 GMT-4" [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

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Date Posted: 02:51:59 01/11/05 Tue
Author: Little old me... UUJ past and present
Subject: Guardian unlimited online...

Whistleblower sparks investigation at Ulster University

Donald MacLeod
Monday January 10, 2005

The University of Ulster has launched a top-level investigation into the running of the institution following allegations made by a whistleblower. The decision to call in the former UK parliamentary ombudsman Sir Michael Buckley to investigate the allegations was taken at a special meeting of the university's governing council on Friday. A university spokesman said Sir Michael had been asked to conduct a preliminary investigation into matters raised under the university's public interest disclosure policy (whistleblowing). "Sir Michael expects to have a report completed on these matters by the middle of February," he added.

The whistleblowing policy is intended to assist individuals who "believe they have discovered malpractice or impropriety", according to the university's rules. The university is currently without its vice-chancellor, Professor Gerry McKenna, who has been on sick leave since November. Just before Christmas the university announced he would be taking an unspecified period of sabbatical leave and Professor Richard Barnett would continue as acting vice-chancellor. Prof McKenna, 50, a biomedical scientist, took over in 1999 as head of Ireland's largest university, which has 28,000 students. Members of the Association of University Teachers have raised concerns about the expense of a large building programme, including business parks on the university's four campuses, although last year Ulster posted a financial surplus. The union has also raised concerns about an unsympathetic management culture.

The university's whistleblowing policy states that where an individual discovers information which they believe shows malpractice/wrongdoing within the organisation then this information should be disclosed without fear of reprisal, and may be made independently of line management. "It should be emphasised that this policy is intended to assist individuals who believe they have discovered malpractice or impropriety. It is not designed to question financial or business decisions taken by the institution; nor may it be used to reconsider any matters which have already been addressed under harassment." The policy is intended to cover concerns which are in the public interest, adds a document on the university's website.

"These might include:
· financial malpractice or impropriety or fraud
· failure to comply with a legal obligation or with the statutes, ordinances and regulations of the institution
· dangers to health and safety or the environment
· criminal activity
· academic or professional malpractice
· improper conduct or unethical behaviour
· attempts to conceal any of the above."

In September Prof McKenna surprised colleagues with an email to all 3,500 staff urging them to stay out of his private life. He said there had been "misleading and inaccurate" speculation about his personal life and asked colleagues to respect his privacy "at a difficult time". He wrote: "Some of you will be aware that there has been speculation, much of it misleading and inaccurate, in regard to my personal life. As vice-chancellor and president of the university it is incumbent upon me to address this matter, as such comment is not in the interests of the university, which is more important than any of us."

(foot note by little old me)

'Me think that the gentleman portesth too much...

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