Students & Staff Vindicated Now What?

Media Release

for immediate release - Friday, 8 November 2002

Students & Staff Vindicated Now What?

Audit New Zealand’s Review of the Otago Polytechnic Campus Redevelopment, released yesterday, made several critical comments on the management of the development. OPSA is not surprised at the comments - the report confirms that the warnings of staff and students were justified, and validates the votes of no confidence in the CEO from the staff and students.

The CEO overstepped her boundaries, and failed to consult adequately. OPSA President, Phil Baskerville, said today “The Polytechnic Council should use the Audit New Zealand report to review CEOs job performance.”

“It should not have taken a budget blowout of this proportion to bring attention to the fact that processes were not being followed. The review confirms that management and council should have heeded the warnings.“ Mr Baskerville commented further.

“When something was so obviously wrong and evidence was provided to the highest level of authority, it should have been addressed immediately,” OPSA Executive Member Brooke Lawton said today.

OPSA would like to see Council:
a) Make an apology to staff and students for ignoring their concerns.
b) Adhere to procedures for future building or capital expenditure and involve effective consultation and tendering processes to avoid a repeat of this situation.
c) Acknowledge that they were remiss in their duties regarding the monitoring of the construction project.

Mr. Baskerville commented, “The budget has been blown by over 100% and the project still hasn’t been completed. Heads must roll!”

ENDS

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