RMIT chancellor Ziggy Switkowski quits after campaign against new Crown job

University chancellor Ziggy Switkowski has resigned after backlash over his appointment as chairman of Crown casino.

Ziggy Switkowski’s job as Crown chairman has caused a storm on RMIT’s campus.

Ziggy Switkowski is stepping down as RMIT University chancellor after 11 years, following a backlash from students and staff over his recent appointment as Crown casino chairman.

In a statement, Mr Switkowski said he would leave at the end of October to concentrate on his “recently announced new board responsibilities”.

The Herald Sun last week reported that a petition last week said the Crown job did not align with the university’s values including being “agents of positive change for our students, the community and beyond”.

The petition, by the National Tertiary Education Union, said Crown casino has been shown to be a “socially destructive force”.

Ziggy Switkowski was RMIT chancellor since 2011.

Staff said the community expected chancellors to demonstrate a commitment to social wellbeing and the public interest.

Mr Switkowksi is replacing Helen Coonan as the head of the gambling and entertainment company.

“It has been a pleasure and honour to serve as RMIT chancellor these past 11 years and I will leave with a great sense of pride at what was achieved in that time but, more so excitement in what lies ahead under the leadership of incoming vice-chancellor Professor Alec Cameron,” he said.

RMIT deputy chancellor Janet Latchford said a search for a replacement had begun.

“Ziggy has been a force for positive change and an influential voice for RMIT and the sector across government and industry and will be missed. We wish him well in his new endeavours.”

Mr Switkowski is a former head of Telstra and the NBN Co, and has held several company directorships. He was appointed RMIT chancellor in 2011.

NTEU spokeswoman Sarah Roberts said it was disappointing that both the chancellor and vice-chancellor (Martin Bean) were departing the institution at such a challenging time.

RMIT staff organised a petition calling for Mr Switkowski’s resignation.

The move comes after former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile turned down the role of chancellor of the University of Newcastle following a public backlash over his links to the fossil fuel industry.

Chairman of Whitehaven Coal, Mr Vaile, was appointed to the top job in June but decided not to proceed even before he had started.

Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge blamed cancel culture for intervening in the process.

RMIT is also being investigated by the Fair Work Commission over claims of staff underpayments over several years. The NTEU believes several million dollars are owed to hundreds of casual employees.