academic vetting

Curtin University is reported as introducing police checks on all staff after an adverse 137 page report by the WA Corruption & Crime Commission [PDF] regarding allegations against former Curtin academic Nasrul Ali.

Dr Ali has been accused of pressuring vulnerable female students in what WA Today dubs the 'Sex For Marks Scandal'. Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Jeanette Hacket is reported as stating that Dr Ali did not undergo any screening or police checks when he was first employed on a casual basis in 2004 but that the process had been altered so that every employee would be subject to rigorous checks.

Ali's employment was terminated after two students made complaints to the university in late April 2009. He subsequently gained an academic position at Murdoch University. WA Today reports that -

Professor Hacket said she didn't know if Curtin provided a reference to Murdoch University for Dr Ali but that she was unable to notify them of his misconduct until this morning.

"I was only permitted to indicate to the other university at 10.30am today because once the Commission commenced the investigation there was a non-disclosure notice applied, so I was not permitted to advise others," Professor Hacket said. ...

Murdoch University's senior deputy vice-chancellor Gary Martin said: "The university has just become aware of the situation. The member of staff concerned is currently on leave while we consider the outcomes of the Commission's investigation."

Aside from interest in the operation of the Corruption & Crime Commission, the WA counterpart of NSW's ICAC, the investigation offers a perspective on university vetting of long-term and sessional academics. It is likely that Australian universities will adopt the Curtin model and undertake police checks of permanent staff. Checking of sessional academics may be more difficult, given that some institutions acquire the services of sessional lecturers and tutors at the last moment. (US vetting of students is highlighted here.)

It should be noted that although the report features five claims of serious misconduct against Dr Ali those claims were not proven in court. The Commission will reportedly not pursue further action, as none of the complainants were prepared to be involved in a criminal prosecution.