Postgraduate Students' Union vote 'overwhelmingly in favour' of requesting UL president's resignation

A UNION which represents some 4,000 postgraduate students in University of Limerick has called on UL president, Professor Kirsten Mey to resign this Monday afternoon.

Their sentiments echo 10 members of the college’s executive committee who signed a letter on Thursday calling on Professor Mey to consider her position. It is over the university paying “significantly above market price” for 20 properties in Rhebogue.

Twenty homes in the city suburb were purchased for more than €11m - or around €550,000 each, on average, before any stamp duty. It has resulted in a financial loss to the university of €5.2m.

The Postgraduate Students' Union (PSU) at University of Limerick called an emergency meeting online this Monday at 1pm. The topic was "PSU stance regarding 'no confidence' in UL's president".

PSU president, Roger Dsilva addressed the PSU executive, PSU council and members of the postgraduate community who were in attendance.

There were two anonymous votes taken regarding the question asking if they should request the UL president to resign - one with all who were in attendance and a second in a closed meeting with only PSU council members.

Both votes are understood to have been "overwhelmingly in favour of requesting her resignation".

Following this meeting, a letter was sent to Professor Mey and the UL chancellor, Brigid Laffan.

Excerpts from the letter include, "Following an emergency meeting today at 1pm on Teams with our constituents where we presented an urgent letter, we, the PSU council have been sanctioned by the postgraduate student body to inform you that collectively, we no longer believe that you hold the best interests of the university and should not continue in your role as the president".

READ MORE: University president asked to consider position in hard-hitting letter by staff 

"Our concerns revolve around shortcomings in your leadership, decision-making, and preparedness for the role," they wrote. 

The letter continues: "We as a union urge you to recognise the gravity of this situation and to take decisive action in the best interests of our institution. It is imperative that UL continues to uphold its reputation for excellence and integrity, and we believe that a change in leadership is necessary to achieve this."

The letter concludes with, "Be assured that we, the Postgraduate Students' Union, remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the university and its community."

Professor Mey addressed all staff in an email on Friday, March 22, in which she wrote that an issue has arisen in respect of the properties which were purchased on the university’s behalf in Rhebogue on the outskirts of the campus.

“New independent valuations have been received which confirm that the university paid significantly above market price for the Rhebogue properties.

“The university will have to absorb the resulting draft impairment, a sum in the region of €5.2m, in our financial accounts. This, coupled with the impairment arising from the purchase of the City Centre Campus, of which I have already advised you, will result in our financial year end position ending in deficit – when a surplus had previously been anticipated.

“This outcome will be funded from the university’s financial reserves,” said Professor Mey in the email.

She said at December’s meeting of the UL Governing Authority, a decision was approved to carry out a full review of the acquisition of the Rhebogue development. 

“This fact-finding review was commissioned to examine compliance, process (including decision making) and the governance of the key aspects of the transaction. 

“When the review is complete, the governing authority will determine the next steps which I will implement,” said Professor Mey.

She wrote that it was "a matter of regret for me as president and I am aware that there is frustration and anger among staff members that this has happened so soon after the issues that arose in relation to the City Centre Campus".

“This is an issue of major concern for the university in terms of management, governance and reputation. I am engaging with our stakeholders to chart the best way forward and there will be action taken as a result of the review that has been commissioned into the transaction,” said Professor Mey.