11 November 2011

The University of Queensland moved quickly to ensure an appropriate level of external scrutiny in relation to an admission irregularity by voluntarily providing the investigation report to the Crime and Misconduct Commission (CMC).

The CMC confirmed its acceptance of the University’s process in relation to the matter that led to the resignations of the University’s Vice-Chancellor and Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

The University of Queensland Executive Director (Operations) and University Secretary, Mr Maurie McNarn, said the University was committed to the highest levels of probity in relation to this matter as evidenced by the CMC’s acceptance of its processes.

“We appreciate there is a view that, in addition to reporting to the CMC, the University should have reported the matter more publicly. This view, however, overlooks a number of facts.

“One is that there were, and still are, serious issues of student privacy associated with the matter. Another is that Professors Greenfield and Keniger accepted responsibility for the matter and offered their resignations.

“The action we took sought to balance the privacy of the student and those asked to participate in the investigation with the broader public interest.

“This was and still is a difficult balance to strike.

“The University has found itself in extraordinary circumstances in recent weeks but has demonstrated that it will not hesitate to act – regardless of who is involved – in protecting the integrity of its academic standards.”

Media: Kathy Grube 0418 524 297, k.grube@uq.edu.au