LECTURERS and research staff at the troubled Glasgow Caledonian University have issued a formal demand for an injection of new blood into its governing body in a bid to demonstrate that it is committed to cleaning up its act.
They want outsiders brought in to fill the key posts of chairman and vice-chairman of the university court, which are set to become vacant next month.
The move precedes publication of a long-awaited report into alleged academic malpractice at the university.
The report - ordered by Scottish Education Minister Brian Wilson and due to be published later this month - will reject the central claims that standards were compromised and that students received several chances to pass examinations because of financial pressures to keep up numbers.
However, it is expected to include criticism of other matters which will cause new principal Dr Ian Johnston some cause for concern.
The university was rocked by a scandal involving sacked principal Stan Mason and three other senior members of staff following a probe into allegations of nepotism, misuse of public funds, and abuse of power.
Some staff believe existing members of the court could have done more to prevent the management malaise which developed.
Chairman Malcolm Campbell and vice-chairman Ken Macaldowie are expected to demit office in July, at the end of their two-year term.
The positions, with responsibility for university strategy and, critically, for oversight and scrutiny of the university executive, are expected to be filled at the next meeting of the court on June 18.
Staff want the positions filled by people untainted by the past. At least one senior academic from another higher education institution in Scotland is known to have expressed interest in the chairmanship.
The matter has been raised with Mr Wilson and the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council. The Association of University Teachers is urging a change in the law to ensure that such appointments have a greater degree of openness and accountability.
One insider told The Herald: ''There's a feeling that if an existing member of the Caledonian court was to become chairman it would be a disaster because, clearly, he or she would not have the complete confidence of the university staff or the outside world.''
A statement issued by the Association of University Teachers (Scotland), following a meeting of its executive at the weekend, warned that a more ''effective, confident, and credible lead'' was needed from the court.
Regional officer of AUTS David Bleiman said: ''Our members are looking for a more effective, confident, and credible lead from the university court. In our view, this can only come by bringing in new court members of the highest quality and standing.''
Mr Mason is currently involved in industrial tribunal proceedings against the university, claiming he was unfairly dismissed.
He faces having to repay more than #50,000 after allegedly acquiring two prestige cars for his own use and taking his wife on holidays to the Far East and South Africa at the university's expense.
Other senior members of staff, including former personnel officer and university management group member Dr Brian Fraser, Professor Gordon Dickson, dean of the Faculty of Health, and International Office director Professor Roger Carey are also being forced to repay cash.
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