Abertay University has been rocked by another resignation from its ruling body.
Businessman Bob Doak has become the fourth person to quit the university court since it became embroiled in the dispute over the suspension and retiral of long-serving principal Professor Bernard King.
Confirmation of his departure came as the annual graduation ceremony was held in the Caird Hall.
In April three members of court resigned in one go Tayside Police chief constable Justine Curran, Perth and Kinross Council chief executive Bernadette Malone and Sylvia Halkerson, of food company Macphie.
None gave a public explanation of their decision but it is understood their departure was connected to the handling of the Bernard King affair, which has become the most divisive row in the university’s history.
The university court is made up of senior management, representatives of the academic and support staffs, a student representative and lay members drawn from business and public service.
It can have as many as 25 members, although there are now fewer than 20, and it meets at least five times a year. Its remit is to set the university’s strategic direction and oversee its finances and development.
Mr Doak is a well-known figure in the Scottish business community, having served as operations director and managing director of Holo-Krome and director of training and company development with Scottish Enterprise.
Latterly he has been a senior manager with WL Gore & Associates, which is best known for its Gore-Tex fabric. Its operation at Dundee Technology Park produces electronic interconnects.
A spokesman for Abertay University said, “We received Mr Doak’s formal resignation from court this morning. We are very sorry to see him leave and we thank him for the valuable contributions he has made to the deliberations of court during his tenure.”
The reason for Mr Doak’s resignation has not been disclosed.
It is understood the university may be close to appointing a new member to the court, although the person’s identity is not yet known. An announcement may be made next week.
Despite the latest twist in the long-running dispute the graduation ceremony went ahead as planned. Chairman of the court Nigel Hawkins, who this week faced a call from a senior professor to quit, was present.
University chiefs refrained from comment on the Bernard King situation, with acting principal Professor Nicholas Terry emphasising it was a day for graduates and families.