Beg for new Skegg.

by Rory MacDonald | 11:54 pm 11/07/2010

The hunt is on for a new Vice Chancellor after Sir Professor David Skegg's announcement that he is stepping down. Sir Professor Skegg handed in his resignation last month. Although he is only required to stay in the role for three months after giving notice, he has given 14 so that there is ample time to find a successor.

His last day at the office will be July 31, 2011.

“I wish to ensure that the Council has ample time to conduct the search for the next Vice Chancellor,” Sir Professor Skegg said in a statement. “On the last occasion, this involved extensive consultation with the University community about the kind of person who should be appointed.”

By the time he leaves the role completely, Sir Professor Skegg will have held the office for seven years, although he was offered a contract extension of up to ten years. Skegg refused the extension, saying he does not believe anyone should hold the position for longer than seven years.

He will leave after what is expected to be a tough period for the University, with more restructuring and staff lay-offs expected.

University Chancellor John Ward says Sir Professor Skegg has been an “outstanding” Vice Chancellor and that the search for a new Vice Chancellor will begin shortly. An Advisory Committee will be established to oversee the search and to make an appointment recommendation to the University Council in due course, and it is fully expect that Skegg's replacement will be found before the office is properly vacated. Among those on the committee will be OUSA President Harriet Geoghegan.

The committee has been offered assistance by a Facebook page ‘New Zealand’s Next Top Vice Chancellor’ which will host auditions to find a replacement for the “well cherished” Sir Professor Skegg, who is taking a “well deserved rest.” The exact location of the auditions is yet to be announced.

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