Vice-Chancellor resigns from the troubled RMIT

RMIT vice-chancellor Ruth Dunkin has resigned in the wake of financial problems that have plagued the university for the past two years, citing unfair treatment by the media as the main factor for her decision.

Professor Dunkin had expected to finish her contract, which expires in October next year. "It has become clear to me over the last couple of weeks that the sort of rumours and innuendoes that have led to so much undermining of my leadership have re-emerged," she said.



The university has struggled to recover from the fallout of losses of $17.7 million, caused by a faulty student administration system, in 2002. Only four months ago RMIT declared itself "back on its financial feet" and Professor Dunkin's future seemed secure after the Auditor-General approved the university's 2003 accounts.

Last week The Age revealed that RMIT faces a $20 million to $30 million shortfall in budgeted revenue and further operating cuts. The university said the shortfall was due to volatile funding sources and sector-wide shifts in international student demand. Professor Dunkin yesterday denied there was pressure from either the Government or the university council to resign. Deputy chancellor Peter Thomas said the council would meet soon to make interim arrangements.

At the moment, RMIT is like a ship without a captain !

SOURCE - The Age, Melbourne Herald Sun, The Australian
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