The Sunday Times [Perth]


RINDOS REJECTS PAYOUTS

The University of WA has made a number of confidential
six-figure offers to sacked archaeologist, Dr David Rindos.

The former lecturer, who won backing from more than 330
international archaeolgists in his unsuccessful fight
against UWA broke the silence on his controversial sacking
yesterday.  

He said he had rejected the big-money offers because UWA
refused to modify statements made on his abilities as an
archaeologist. 

"Money was not my initial concern," Dr Rindos said.  "I told
the university that before we even started bickering about
money, it would have to clarify some of the allegations it
made against me.

"University officials produced a draft letter of apology,
but it had no content.

"My union and I offered the university an alternative
wording which we though was acceptable."

Two years ago, Dr Rindos gave evidence in one of the most
controversial departmental inquiries held at the campus.

The inquiry into the archaeology department revealed
unorthodox management practices by Professor Sandra Bowdler
and soon after, she was stood down as head of the
department.

The department was scrapped and mered into the anthropology
department. 

But a year later, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Fay Gale,
followed advice from the head of a university division, Dr
Mike Partis, not to make Dr Rindos a permanent academic.

The reason given was that Dr Rindos had not published enough
research papers. 

Dr Rindos said he did not regret whistle-blowing on the
conditions students and staff endured.

He said he planned to launch several legal actions against
his dismissal.