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The allegations of structural and systemic racism at the University of Waikato arose after an employment process by its vice chancellor found that two top academics “failed to meet standards” over the use of hundreds of thousands of dollars on a key project .
An independent review by commissioners Hekia Parata and Harawira Gardiner came after six academics sent a letter to the Ministry of Education alleging structural, systemic and casual racism at the University, and was published on Friday.
The letter sparked student protests in support of Maori and Indigenous Studies faculty and broader support from other academics both at New Zealand universities and abroad.
But the report found that while the institution is structurally discriminatory against Maori due to its Western university tradition, claims made by academics about the organization and its vice chancellor in a protected disclosure were “incorrect, inaccurate, or a matter of perception or opinion. “. .
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The claims included ignorance of the Maori experience, symbolism, lower pay for Maori staff, and lack of meaningful commitment to the Treaty of Waitangi.
The report said that the “catalyst” for the claims was that two staff members, part of the College of Maori and Indigenous Studies, were investigated in a “labor matter” surrounding financial and relationship management issues. It is linked to an unauthorized attempt to spend $ 300,000 in college cash.
Employees were found to “not meet the required standard.”
The vice-rector carried out an employment process that resulted in “appropriate actions at the respective levels of responsibility.”
Chloe Blommerde / Things
Ngāti Pōrou protested at the University of Waikato last Friday.
The Faculty leadership then reacted to Quigley’s sanction to his colleagues by sending a statement under Protected Disclosure to the Secretary of Education, alleging racism.
This led to accusations about the university’s motives, which led to some “personally vilifying” statements made public about Chancellor Neil Quigley, according to the report.
While individual staff matters were not formally within the scope of the review, commissioners said they were given full access to the information in this case because of its relevance.
“In our opinion, conflicts of interest and fiduciary duties must be managed and observed to the letter.
“We saw in the documentation that the vice-rector followed the procedure and the law.
“His approach seemed professional, restrained and transparent in all his interactions. We didn’t see the alleged racism. “
The commissioners also responded to claims of a lack of Maori representation, employment, leadership positions, promotions, and lower salaries for Maori staff.
The report says that Maori leadership positions have not died out, but appointments and job promotions are slow.
Dominico Zapata / Things
“Personally vilifying” statements were made about Professor Neil Quigley, Vice Chancellor of the University of Waikato, on a variety of media platforms, according to the report.
“Maori staff are not paid less than equivalent non-Maori staff, the academic credentials and executive experience of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Maori) were determined appropriate for appointment by the executive
“A Maori Advancement Plan for the entire University has not been updated due to the pandemic,” but it is in process. “
Average salaries for professors, associate professors, and tenured professors (ranks two to four on the salary scale) with Ph.Ds at the faculty are higher than the average salaries of equivalent staff in the Division of Arts, Law, Psychology, and Sciences Social.
The College has a higher proportion of staff in the rank of professor and associate professor than in the university as a whole.
The restructuring of the university had grouped the faculties into four divisions, which the Faculty of Maori and Indigenous Studies had resisted in order to maintain its long-standing autonomy agreement. However, this had left staff feeling marginalized and insecure, especially when Covid-19 hit.
The report recognized that there is structural, systemic, and casual discrimination in the university, and made recommendations that this should be improved.
“The public institutions in our country are founded on our history of settlement, including our universities and educational system, which also embody and adhere to the Western university tradition and culture.
“The structures and systems must be redesigned to give authentic voice and practice to Te Tiriti or Waitangi The Treaty of Waitangi, its principles of association, participation and protection.
“The university has the opportunity to lead change, not only for itself, but to serve as a model for the tertiary sector in general.”
The report recommended that the university acknowledge discrimination and negotiate a renewed relationship with Mana Whenua – Kīngitanga and recognize that the future would be based on the same Maori mātauranga status and Western knowledge.
Parata and Gardiner took into account the submissions of more than 170 people and sought advice from the Commission on Human Rights on the definition of racism and institutional racism in the context of an independent review.
The presentations included two hui representing 80 people, representing a number of others, and 96 written presentations, including those from 12 groups, representing 191 signatories. A late submission was also received from a group.
Reaction from Maori university and academics
Neil Quigley said the college council has accepted the report’s findings and recommendations and will act immediately to implement them.
“One of the things I learned from my Maori colleagues is that they like the idea of the results improving the mana for people on both sides,” Quigley said. Stuff.
“When academics talk about structural racism, what they mean is that the university is a Western institution, founded on British models.
“It is a statement not only from this university, but from all universities and public institutions.
“From my point of view, it is good that this has been addressed. It is also an opportunity for us to assume a leadership role internationally. “
Dominico Zapata / Things
The Rector of the University of Waikato, Sir Anand Satyanand, with the Vice Rector, Professor Neil Quigley.
The university has appointed Professor Linda Smith and Professor Alister Jones as co-chairs of a task force.
The working group will explore the possibility of creating an action plan in the coming months on how to address these structural and systemic problems of discrimination and racism.
“I am relieved that we have reached this point where we can report and put certain factual information in the public domain and indeed I am looking forward to continuing constructive work, including the task force, rather than addressing the issues that have been. been driven by the information that reaches the media.
“People who are open-minded about the issues now will be satisfied that we have had a thorough investigation and have reached a point where we can move on.”
Maori Astronomer Professor Rangi Matamua, one of the six academics who signed the letter to the MoE, said that he has read the report and welcomed that the vice chancellor and council have accepted that there is systemic racism.
Supplied
Maori astronomer Professor Rangi Matamua said that if any university has the capacity to lead equality it is the University of Waikato.
“I am happy that these problems have been recognized and they seek to address them through a working group,” Matamua said. Stuff.
“I think this is positive not only for the University of Waikato, but I think it’s something that Maori have known has been around for a long time across the industry.
While he was happy that systemic racism was addressed, he said, he would have liked the university to take on the pay gap, a reduced number of Maori staff and a Maori academic plan.
When asked if the letter alleging racism was retaliation for Quigley’s sanction of one of his colleagues, Matamua said no.
“When you come out with accusations of racism, we don’t take it lightly, and we didn’t do it to cover up other issues, we did it as a collective.
“If that was the case, I don’t think 33 professors from the top universities would have signed a letter and also came out talking about institutional racism at the university.
“I don’t think we would have received a letter in such a short time signed by 6,500 people, mostly academics from around the world, promoting their concerns.
“If any university has the capacity to lead equality, it is the University of Waikato.”
