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Auckland staff face reign of terror

Weeks after the controversial sacking of Auckland professor Paul Buchanan, a top professor has resigned as head of the University of Auckland School of Architecture and Planning. Professor Peggy Deamer says that a deep “misalignment” of views between her and Faculty management is behind her premature departure. Deamer was Assistant Dean at Yale University’s School of Architecture before taking up her position this February. She resigned on Friday 17 August and was ordered by Professor Sharman Pretty, Dean of the University’s National Institute of Creative Arts, to clear out her office immediately, despite offering six months’ notice to minimise disruption to her students. Deamer’s sudden departure is reported to have shocked staff and students. 372 students have signed a letter to the Vice-Chancellor asking for problems between the Faculty and School to be resolved. Most Architecture staff spoken to by press did not want to be named, describing a “climate of fear” at the School and saying their jobs would be in jeopardy if they spoke out.

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Source: http://www.critic.co.nz/about/news/246

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Another key resignation from Auckland
A top professor has resigned as head of the University of Auckland School of Architecture and Planning, telling students a deep “misalignment” of views between her and Faculty management is behind her premature departure, according to a story in today’s New Zealand Herald .

Professor Peggy Deamer, who was Assistant Dean at New York ’s renowned Yale University’s School of Architecture, took up her position in February this year, appointed with much fanfare by Professor Sharman Pretty, Dean of Auckland University’s National Institute of Creative Arts.

The Herald says that Professor Deamer, who resigned on 17 August, was ordered by Professor Pretty to clear out her office over the weekend. Professor Deamer told students she had offered six months’ notice to minimise disruption, but that was rejected.

Professor Deamer’s sudden departure is reported to have shocked staff and students, who have been given no official explanation. Students gathered in the School’s courtyard in protest and 372 have signed a letter to the Vice-Chancellor asking for problems between the Faculty and School to be resolved.

A group represented by the University’s Students’ Association is due to meet Professor Pretty next week. Most Architecture staff spoken to by the Herald did not want to be named, describing a climate of fear at the School and saying their jobs would be in jeopardy if they spoke out.

The Herald understands Professor Deamer was constantly thwarted by Professor Pretty in her efforts to make changes at the School.

Acrimonious relations between the School and the Faculty have been a longstanding problem and were highlighted in a 2006 accreditation report. Staff talk of a lack of autonomy in decision-making, token democratic processes in Faculty meetings and centralised “micromanagement” control by the Faculty.

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Source: http://www.aus.ac.nz/Publications/tertiaryupdate/2007/No%2031.asp#3

“Thank you for your letter dated 24 August 2007, addressed to Professor Stuart McCutcheon, which was hand-delivered to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office on 29 August 2007 and handed to me personally.

As advised to the students, the Vice-Chancellor was away in Wellington and the letter will be brought to his attention on his return.

Yours sincerely
Gill Wilson
Executive Manager - Vice-Chancellor’s Office
The University of Auckland”

Financial restrictions impact Auckland University’s curriculum.

August 2005. Published in NZHerald.

Link to Article.

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