There is a petition at RMIT calling for the chancellor to resign

Last week long-serving chancellor, Ziggy Switkowski was announced as the incoming chair of casino giant Crown Resorts. This alarms some  university staff who believe the gambling company does not meet the RMIT commitment “to be agents of positive change for our students, the community and beyond.”

An open letter is circulating calling on Dr Switkowski to resign from the university.

Pointing to Mark Vaile’s decision not to accept Uni Newcastle council’s offer that he become chancellor, the petition states, “the community expects chancellors to demonstrate a commitment to social wellbeing and the public interest.” Mr Vaile’s appointment was vocally opposed at Uni Newcastle because he chairs a coal mining company.