The Australian: Higher Education Supplement
10 June 1992

POSTGRADS JOIN THE ARCHAEOLOGY FRAY
By Joe Poprzeczny

    Postgraduate archaeology students have become involved in a
bitter row over the decision to merge the University of Western
Australia's archaeology department with the large department of
anthropology. 
    The president of the Postgraduate Students Association, Ms Marcia
Taylor, has taken the unusual step of circulating a 21-page
information kit to more than 100 members of the academic board.
    The documents outline possible curtailment of degree studies for
six postgraduates working with the archaeology lecturer Dr David
Rindos, who now works in the department of geography.
    Dr Rindos was removed from archaeology last year following a
prolonged series of disagreements with Professor Sandra Bowdler, who
stood down as head of archaeology in February after a routine review
of her department.
    Since the, a second departmental review, commissioned by the
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Faye Gale, has been conducted and, like
the first, received written submissions from students.
    (Both reports arose because of complaints relating to management
problems, equity issues and interpersonal relationships which
Professor Gale says "were damaging the objectivity of the
department."  Professor Bowdler has been highly critical of both
reports and believes she has not been accorded due process and
natural justice.  In the HES last week she argued that she had been
"totally discriminated against, right down the line.")
    On receiving the second report Professor Gale advised the Senate
that archaeology would be merged with anthropology, but the move did
not include Dr Rindos and the postgraduates in his program. 
    An increasing number of academics are coming to the view that
this may signal an intention to eventually tell Dr Rindos that he is
sacked.
    Interestingly, Dr Rindos's tenure will not be confirmed this
month as scheduled.  He was told by Dr Mike Partis, head of the
division of agriculture and science, under which archaeology and
geography are administered, that it had been postponed until the end
of the year. 
    Ms Taylor's covering letter said: "Changes to the structure and
administration of the archaeology department must be pursued with due
consideration to postgraduates.
    "It is hoped that any structural and administrative changes to
the present department of archaeology will not hinder the academic
progress of graduates in or out of the present department. "
    Another letter in the kit from a postgraduate student, Mr Andrus
Budrikis, said there of the people in Dr Rindos's group had enrolled
for higher degrees this year, with one, Mr Wilhelm de Winter,
recently arriving from the Netherlands.
    "Mr de Winter has written to the PSA expressing his concerns," Mr
Budrikis said.
    "Any decisions about the future of the teaching of archaeology
should be debated by all concerned.  This includes the students."
    Mr Budrikis said that when he contacted Prof Gale to arrange to
discuss the issue she directed him to speak with Dr Partis.
    "I have spoken to Dr Partis on a few occasions and have found him
unable or unwilling to convey what exactly is going on," Mr Budrikis
said.