Emails show not everyone happy with Robertson’s Otago Uni appointment
The appointment of Grant Robertson as the new vice-chancellor of the University of Otago led to some former graduates saying they would pull substantial donations.
On February 20, the senior Labour MP confirmed he was leaving his 15-year parliamentary career to return to Dunedin for the role at the tertiary institution.
“We are delighted to welcome a candidate of his calibre to this key leadership role,” University of Otago chancellor Stephen Higgs said following the appointment.
Higgs said the appointment came after an “extensive international search”, and Robertson’s appointment was unanimously supported by the university council. But not everyone was happy. Emails, including those sent to senior university staff about Robertson’s appointment, have been released to Stuff under the Official Information Act (OIA). “This is very impressive news,” said one email writer, who, like other respondents, had their name redacted.
Another wrote: “This is wonderful news for the university and the city.
“I am sure Grant will bring all his accumulated wisdom to the role and make a fresh and vibrant addition to the executive.
“Being a Dunedin local, he has full enthusiasm for our beautiful city, and a deep understanding of the interaction between town and gown here, which bodes well.”
But another email noted that the writer had received calls from Otago alumni “angry at the decision”. The response was likely to be worse than what the university received over Tuakiritaka, a reference to branding changes, the emailer said.
Meanwhile, another emailer wrote of the appointment: “They have made a very poor decision.”
Another emailer wrote: “As a former student I will not be donating another cent and will not be encouraging family to attend an institution that is seriously flawed from the top down. The university council should resign following this decision.”
This contrasted sharply with a senior academic staff member praising the decision: “I am absolutely delighted to hear that you’ve been appointed vice-chancellor.”
But a former alumni was less forthcoming with praise, emailing: “I have left a significant amount of money to the university in my will. However I will be cancelling that.” Another requested, under the OIA, details of other applicants, as “I am keen to ensure that the best candidate for this appointment was selected”.
Another alumni, who had a history of sending offensive emails to the tertiary institution, wrote: “This must be one of the most gross and ridiculous decisions of the university to date.”
Some of that email was redacted, but the emailer added: “And to appoint such a failure of a politician to such an important post is ridiculous.”
Robertson will begin his new job on July 1. The University of Otago declined to comment on the emails.