By Sophie Blewitt
Australian National University Vice-Chancellor Genevieve Bell has resigned from her position following months of protest from both students and staff of the ANU.
Since being appointed as Professor Brian Schmidt’s replacement in January 2024, Professor Bell has met much media attention amid mounting staff cuts and the axing of the ANU’s prestigious School of Music.
Last year, Bell launched the ‘Renew ANU’ cost-cutting program, hoping to cut $250 million in operating costs, largely via reducing salaries. According to Bell, the ANU was facing “an enormous number of challenges” when she took on the role of Vice-Chancellor.
The Saturday Paper reported over the weekend that five of six college deans delivered an ultimatum to Bell demanding her resignation. This comes in the wake of a vote of no-confidence by staff of the ANU at large in March, as well as the public relations disaster caused by significant media attention on the prestigious institution.
In a statement to ANU students and staff sent in an email this morning, Bell noted “this was not an easy decision,” adding that “this has been a very hard time for our community.”
“I am grateful for all the ways that people have shown up and for all the work that has been done and the progress we have made.”
Referring to her future at the ANU, Bell stated that “My plan is to take time off, including a period of study leave, and then return to the School of Cybernetics as a Distinguished Professor where I hope to continue to contribute to our community.”
In the same email, Chancellor Julie Bishop thanked Bell for her service as Vice-Chancellor.
In a statement to Observer, co-convenor of student group No Cuts at ANU Lucy Chapman-Kelly said that “This is an outcome of months of campaigning by students, staff and the ANU community against Renew ANU and university management.”
“This has been one of the largest on-campus movements in decades at this university, and has clearly put university management and Bell under pressure. Students will keep demonstrating until Julie Bishop is also gone, and the cuts are reversed entirely.”
National Union of Students Education Officer, James McVicar, stated “Students across the country facing attacks from university heads should take inspiration from the students and staff at ANU, who have forced the resignation of Bell.”
No Cuts at ANU and other student groups will be protesting on 17th September to reverse the cuts made under Renew ANU altogether.
Observer will continue to report.
Photography by Andrew Meares (ANU).
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