The Sunday Times [Perth, WA]
9 August 1992]


PROBLEMS FIXED, SAYS UWA DEPARTMENT

    The University of WA says it has solved problems in its
archaeology department which prompted a group of angry
students to write to campus senators. 

    Students wrote to each senator objecting to the way
their complaints about archaeology were treated by a high
level review of the department.

    Last week the senate went into secret session to debate
a letter from Meekatharra archaeologist Joe Mattner which
alleged sexual involvement by some staff and students. 

    UWA's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fay Gale, has written
to Mr Mattner saying the matter was now under control.

    Although the senate said it was satisfied proper
processes were followed, it instructed Professor Gale to
compile a statement on events raised by Mr Mattner.

    Early this year, Professor Gale put the tiny
archaeology department under the control of the much bigger
anthropology unit.

    She also decided to shutdown the centre for prehistory.

    "The senate is satisfied that arrangements are now in
place to safeguard the future of archaeology as a
discipline and to ensure that students currently enrolled
have every opportunity to complete their course of study,"
Professor Gale said.