Top academic resigns

An Auckland University head of department resigned within weeks of staff raising concerns about discrepancies in his claimed credentials.

Professor Eric Hollis was appointed with much fanfare as head of the university's music school by Sharman Pretty, dean of the National Institute of Creative Arts and Industries, in 2004.

But he resigned this year, just weeks after colleagues raised concerns about irregularities in his curriculum vitae.

The university is already under attack after sacking political studies lecturer Dr Paul Buchanan who accused Arab student Asma Al Yammahi of "preying on some sort of Western liberal guilt" in an email sent declining an essay extension. He wants his job back.

Concerns about discrepancies in Hollis's achievements were not mentioned when he resigned in January and staff were told he had left for personal reasons; he had marriage problems at the same time.

A source told the Sunday Star-Times that people started asking questions about Hollis after concern over his approach to management.

Investigations showed Hollis listed The Essential String Method on a "key publications" section of his CV and the university's website, although it was written by other people. Hollis was acknowledged in copies of the book because he brokered a deal between Guildhall, where he used to work, and the book's publishers Boosey and Hawkes in London, but he was not the author.

Attempts by staff to track down another item he listed as a key publication were unsuccessful, with the book The Modern Conservatoire, said to have been published by Doce Notas, not showing up on any web search they did. Doce Notas is a music shop in Spain.

Hollis also claimed to have a Master of Music (MMus) in at least one document, when he has a Master of Arts (MA).

The queries about his CV were shared with academic vice-chancellor Professor Raewyn Dalziel, who also heard a deputation of music school staff's concerns about academic matters.

In an interview in the university's magazine soon after his appointment, Hollis said Pretty pitched the job to him after they met through colleagues in England.

He had been working at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London as director of initial studies, responsible for professional development and external consulting and managing the external examinations service.

University spokesman Bill Williams confirmed that concerns about some items in Hollis's CV were raised shortly before Christmas, but he resigned on January 10 before the university could investigate. He stressed Hollis had resigned for personal reasons.

Williams said Hollis was appointed to the university after an international search and came highly recommended by Guildhall.

Neither Guildhall principal Barry Ife nor Hollis could be reached for comment. The Star-Times understands Hollis is still in New Zealand seeking employment.

Hollis came under fire two years ago after emails were leaked which appeared to distance the success of student Keshia Paulse on TV pop competition NZ Idol from the music school.

At the time, Hollis's comments were described as "elitist" when he said: "Along with many of the popular music students, I don't have a particularly high opinion of this form of entertainment/reality mix."

He later said he found NZ Idol entertaining but had misgivings about the way the series misled viewers by falsely portraying reality.

- © Fairfax NZ News