UCD is set to introduce a range of new procedures for vetting staff appointments after acknowledging yesterday it been deceived by Mr Gary Santry, the American academic who falsified his qualifications.
In a report adopted by the Governing Authority, the college says the practice whereby the Department of Banking and Finance "head-hunted" candidates for positions which had not been advertised should cease immediately. It also wants an end to the practice whereby senior academics can make appointments on the basis of curriculum vitae and without any formal job interviews.
Mr Santry claimed to have had an MBA from Notre Dame and an MA and PhD from Southern Methodist University, Texas. He won a teaching award from UCD this year for his work at the Smurfit Business School.
The three-member inquiry team led by the historian Prof Ronan Fanning interviewed 27 people and met nine times.
The fact-finding report concentrates on revised appointment procedures. It makes no mention of imposing any sanctions on members of staff responsible for the embarrassing affair.
The Fanning report says: "Mr Gary Santry engaged in deception at all stages of his seeking appointment with the Department of Banking and Finance, during the process of his recruitment as a temporary lecturer in 1997 and throughout the process of his applying for permanent appointment both as a College Lecturer and as a Professor in 2001. This deception included falsification of his qualifications and fabrication of his references".
The Fanning inquiry comes amid tensions between staff at the Smurfit school based in Carysfort, Blackrock, and the main college in Belfield. Some Belfield academics resent the freedom enjoyed by the business school, which is linked to UCD's Commerce Faculty.
The school was recently ranked 7th in Europe for business schools by the Financial Times. There is concern its position may be downgraded next year on foot of the controversy.
Mr Santry's appointment was recommended by a high-powered, four-member interview team. Two external experts also sat on the interview panel.
Since the affair became public, Mr Santry has apologised to the college registrar, Dr Caroline Hussey, for the embarrassment caused to UCD. Shortly after this, he left for the US. His current whereabouts are unknown.
The report recommends much tighter appointment procedures, including:
Checks on academic qualifications and verification of this with the assessment board, where necessary;
Checks on all PhDs said to be "in progress";
The advertising of all academic appointments, except one-year and emergency appointments.