Sean Barrett, a recent pro-chancellor of Trinity, today blasted the interview committee’s decision to deny Prof Sarah Alyn-Stacey entry to the Provost elections, referring to it as “Draconian and disproportionate”.
Earlier today The University Times reported that Alyn-Stacey was denied entry to this year’s Provost election, after a process that she says has “blurred” the distinction between an election and an appointment and given HR a “crucial role” in who will be the next Provost.
In a statement to her nominators – seen by this newspaper – Alyn-Stacey was highly critical of the interview committee and HR. She alleged that they “took it upon themselves to apply a different test from the statutorily-mandated prima facie test”.
In a statement to The University Times, Barrett admonished the decision to disqualify Alyn-Stacey, saying that “our voting rights are diminished, and the good name of TCD is tarnished because Irish society is deeply committed to the ballot box without disqualifications”.
Barrett, who served as a member of the last Provost election’s interview committee, explained that: “In the wider democratic society, it is over a hundred years since the last Irish parliamentary disqualification.”
“Outside of TCD, today the penalty of disqualification is seen as Draconian and disproportionate. I say that as a former representative of Dublin University in Seanad Eireann”, Barret added.
Continuing, Barrett observed that: “The democratic remedy for those who disapprove of a candidate in any election is to enter the election themselves or support one of the other candidates, rather than seek disqualification(s).”
“The electorate, highly qualified in this case, then makes the choice from a full slate of candidates”, Barrett added.
Barrett went on to further condemn the move by College, saying: “Today the election of our new Provost is saddened by the use of disqualification.”
“I hope that College can quickly recover its good name”, he added.
In an email statement to The University Times, Tom Molloy, Trinity’s director of public affairs and communications, said: “While individuals are free to discuss their application for positions in college, the University is precluded from commenting on any individual’s application to a post in order to respect their privacy.”
In an earlier email statement to The University Times regarding Alyn-Stacey’s disqualification, Molloy said: “While it would be wrong to comment on any individual application, the University is completely satisfied that the process meets the necessary criteria.”
“The steering committee, appointed by the Board under the statutes and which is chaired by the Registrar, has closely scrutinised the process on behalf of college to ensure that the process is transparent, fair and fully compliant with the college statutes.”
“The process as laid down in the statutes includes an interview committee appointed by the Board. The interview committee conducted the process in accordance with the statutes. Candidates may appeal a decision of the interview committee to the appeals committee, also appointed by the Board.”
“Under the statutes, candidates may also take a case to the Visitors: the Chancellor Dr Mary McAleese and the Judicial Visitor, Judge George Birmingham.”
“Finally, HR’s expertise in managing senior appointments was naturally used in the process to ensure that the criteria listed in the statutes was reflected in the interview process.”
Prof Jane Ohlmeyer, Prof Linda Doyle and Prof Linda Hogan were today confirmed as the candidates in the Provost election.
The official campaign period starts today, and a “kick-off meeting” for all staff and members of the electorate is planned for Monday. The candidates will each give an opening statement and will answer questions from participants.
The campaign will also include a debate on climate change, meetings with faculties and heads of schools and several hustings.
The campaign will end on April 7th, and the election will take place on April 10th. The name of the elected candidate will go to the Board for approval and the new Provost will take up office on August 1st.
