Dundee University is braced for a difficult week ahead of the publication of an independent probe into its crisis and a parliamentary grilling.
Insiders say they hope staff and students will finally get answers over how the university ended up in fiscal turmoil.
But they admit some concern at the potential risks and how much it could impact both the university’s recovery and medium to long term future.
It comes after The Courier revealed an accounting review found bosses at the institution overspent as the institution’s financial woes worsened and failed to highlight the true scale of the crisis.
We take a look at the three key moments over the next eight days.
1. Gillies investigation published
At 2pm on Thursday June 19, staff will gather at the Dundee University’s Dalhousie Building to hear the findings of the much-anticipated independent probe by Professor Pamela Gillies.
Ms Gillies and investigators from international audit firm BDO have been carrying out the investigation since April 10.
The university is braced for potentially significant criticism of its processes after investigators looked into what went wrong.
The contents of the report are highly guarded, reflecting a determination by Professor Gillies that the university community will hear her findings first.
After the townhall meeting the findings will be revealed to the public – with full coverage in The Courier.
2. Government and political reaction
As well as the findings of the report, the reaction from government, the Scottish Funding Council and local and national politicians will also be crucial.
If the report is critical of anyone in the university’s current leadership, sources admit their positions may become precarious.
There is also an acknowledgement that if serious mismanagement is identified there could be a need for further, potentially criminal investigation.
Interim principal Professor Shane O’Neill previously said he had not seen evidence of criminality, but admitted he could not rule it out.
3. Holyrood grilling of former principal and other senior staff
Next week, former principal Professor Iain Gillespie and other senior staff who have since left the institution will face the Scottish Parliament’s education committee.
Professor Gillespie will face MSPs — including convener Douglas Ross — on Thursday June 26.
Former chief operating officer Jim McGeorge, ex-finance director Peter Fotheringham, and former university court chair Amanda Millar will all be quizzed a day earlier.
Lady Wendy Alexander, the former vice principal international, is unable to attend but is submitting written evidence.
It will be the culmination of what many expect will be a difficult week for the university.
“It could turn into a blame game, that’s the real fear. They will all be seeking to protect their reputations,” one insider said.
“It actually could be the moment of greatest risk because that will be when the real human side of any failure will be exposed.”
Convener Douglas Ross told The Courier: “The crisis at Dundee University is extremely concerning for staff, students and the city as a whole, but hopefully some much-needed light will be shed on it in the coming days.
“The findings of the independent investigation on Thursday should identify the causes of the massive deficit and how this was allowed to happen, and why seemingly no-one noticed before the situation got so bad.
“I then look forward to the education committee questioning the main players, including the former principal, over its findings next week.
Conversation