University of Tasmania review into former vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen

The University of Tasmania has admitted it failed to protect its people during the term of disgraced former Vice-Chancellor Peter Rathjen’s tenure, as it releases the findings of a review >>>

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The University of Tasmania has admitted it failed to protect its people during the term of disgraced former Vice-Chancellor Peter Rathjen’s tenure.

UTAS today responded to the findings of an independent review to investigate matters around Prof Rathjen’s leadership.

Professor Peter Rathjen, who was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Tasmania from 2011 to 2017.

The review, by Melbourne-based barrister Maree Norton, found 11 complaints, three of which related directly to the former vice-chancellor.

UTAS refused to say what the complaints about Prof Rathjen concerned.

The review made seven recommendations, which UTAS said it would implement by July 2021.

UTAS did not ask Ms Norton to investigate the complaints nor speak to Prof Rathjen.

She reported the complaints to the University but made no findings about the allegations.

UTAS chancellor Michael Field said the review highlighted the institution failed in its responsibilities to protect its people.

“We are deeply sorry for all the distress these failures have caused. To each person affected I am very sorry,” he said.

UTAS would not reveal which themes related to the complaints against Prof Rathjen.

Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Bruce Lander found Prof Rathjen committed “serious misconduct” by groping two women staff during a work trip in 2019 while vice-chancellor at the University of Adelaide.

He served at the South Australian university from 2018 until July this year after leading UTAS between 2011 and 2017.

After announcing the review, current UTAS vice-chancellor Rufus Black promised staff he would be “open and transparent” about any findings into Prof Rathjen’s time at UTAS.

Prof Black said the review was to determine if there were unreported or undetected issues arising from Prof Rathjen’s tenure.

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Originally published as University of Tasmania review into former vice-chancellor Peter Rathjen