The chairman of the governing body of University College Cork , Prof Enda McDonagh, yesterday expressed hope that the appointment of an independent person to review allegations about its governance would end controversy at the university.
According to a statement issued by UCC, the governing body has voluntarily taken the step of appointing an external, independent person to alleviate any concern which may have been generated recently from allegations referred to Minister for Education Mary Hanafin.
The move is designed to reassure Ms Hanafin, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the university community at UCC and the wider community that the governing body has discharged, and is continuing to discharge, its functions appropriately, said UCC in its statement. The university, under college president Gerry Wrixon, has been embroiled in controversy for some time, with governing body member Prof Des Clarke alleging there has been serious mismanagement of finances, given the level of debt at the university.
Prof McDonagh has now said the appointment of the external independent review person by the governing body, following consultation with the HEA, "provides an opportunity to bring closure to these matters".
"The governing body welcomes the constructive approach of the HEA and in particular the authority's recognition of the strong performance of the university under the leadership of president Wrixon," he said.
UCC's student population has increased from 12,000 to 16,000 in eight years, largely through new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, added the statement.
