A statement issued by the UNE Secretariat yesterday stated that both the chancellor (John Cassidy) and the vice chancellor, Professor Alan Pettigrew, had endorsed the move as “an appropriate way forward for the resolution of the current difficulties”.

It is understood the working relationship between the two men broke down some weeks ago.

Mr Cassidy has asked Professor Pettigrew to resign. Professor Pettigrew has refused to do so.

UNE council member and

Member for the Northern Tablelands Richard Torbay proposed the engagement of Sir Laurence at a meeting of the standing committee in Sydney yesterday.

It was resolved Sir Laurence be engaged to:

1. Provide a clear determination of the respective roles of the chancellor and the vice-chancellor, both specifically under the current circumstances and generally; and

2. Provide independent performance appraisal advice on the performance of the vice-chancellor now and establish a performance appraisal framework for the future.

Mr Torbay expressed serious concern about the level of “misinformation, damaging and personal statements that were being made” around the leadership issues at UNE. Deputy chancellor Dr James Harris said the resolution would be acted as quickly as

possible.

Sir Laurence will report to the UNE Council through Dr Harris.

The council will meet on Monday to discuss these and other issues affecting the university, voted on at a meeting of the UNE professorate last week.

Speaking after that meeting Professor Adrian Kiernander said “a lot of members expressed very deep concerns about ... the relationship between the chancellor and the vice-chancellor”.

The professorate meeting passed a motion supporting Professor Pettigrew in his current role.

It also passed a resolution asking the UNE Council not to re-endorse the chancellor when his current term finishes in the near future.