The Sunday Times [Perth, WA]
2 August 1992

UNI SENATE: PLEASE EXPLAIN

    The University of WA Senate has told Vice-Chancellor
Professor Fay Gale to provide a statement outlining events
which have prompted several student complaints on
activities in the now-suspended archaeology department.

    The issue, shrouded in secrecy for more than six
months, was debated by senators in closed session this
week.  

    An in-house report commissioned by Professor Gale in
February on the controversy has so far been withheld from
the senate.

    That report prepared by the dean of law, Professor Stan
Hotop, and Professor Doug Clyde, followed a routine review
of the archaeology department last year.

    The review highlighted complaints relating to
management problems, equity issues, and interpersonal
relationships which Professor Gale said were damaging the
objectivity of department.

    As a result the archaeology department was suspended
with most staff being moved into the department of
anthropology. 

    The closed senate session follows a letter of complaint
from Meekatherra archaeologist and former student, Mr Joe
Mattner, who wrote to all senators last month.