Independent Investigation Findings to be Reported in June

Eva Milne

This afternoon Professor Pamela Gillies, Lead Investigator has announced that the results of the independent investigation will be reported on June 19th.

Unions Rally earlier this week (Connor Bertie)

The terms of reference for the “Investigation into financial oversight and decision-making at the University of Dundee: the circumstances and causes of the current financial position” have been outlined under three headings: financial management, financial reporting and governance and oversight.

The extensive investigation points can be read in full here. To summarise, the investigation will pursue answers regarding:

1. The causes of the worsening financial situation, and in particular the balance between external factors affecting income generation and internal factors around governance and cost control.

2. The extent to which, over time, budgets were building in unrealistic savings or income targets which masked the true ability of the University to meet its budget targets.

3. The reasons the University failed to manage its cash prudently, allowing it to deteriorate to critically low levels, and failed to honour the commitment to invest money that had been understood to be ringfenced for future projects.

4. Whether investment decisions (capital, staffing, digital, operational, other) were appropriately agreed against their effects on the University’s sustainability.

5. The reasons why key signs of distress were not reported to UEG and Court in a timely fashion, and in particular why Court was only informed fully in November 2024.

6. The quality, credibility and accuracy of the information provided to the UEG and Court and their delegated committees and other groups, and whether this had an impact on the UEG’s or Court’s capacity to understand the situation and provide appropriate challenge.

7. The extent to which any current or former member of the executive or governance structures sought to suppress information about the magnitude of the financial situation.

8. The extent to which any member of staff felt unable to raise concerns of the magnitude of the financial situation

9. The extent to which UEG and Court and their committees and groups were aware, could have been aware and should have been aware, of the worsening financial situation.

10. Whether any of the UEG, Court and their committees and groups failed in their executive or governance responsibilities to act soon enough to respond to the worsening situation.

Although not an extensive list, it is evident that this investigation will be thorough and rigorous. It will provide answers to exactly how we arrived at this position and who should be held accountable.

Perhaps point five is what most of us are keen to know; why did this go unchecked and unopposed for so long?

The email has urged staff and students to come forward with any information which may aid the investigation. All information will remain confidential.

“Evidence can be provided to: BDOenquiries.Dundee@bdo.co.uk. Please be assured this email address is only accessible to the investigation team”.

There will be further information regarding the implications and logistics of the investigation soon.