The University of Wollongong has bypassed its own academic senate and greenlit the controversial Ramsay Centre-funded western civilisation degree in a bid to head off a looming court challenge.
Despite never being considered by its academic senate, the University announced on Monday its top governing body had approved the degree.
Jillian Broadbent, the university chancellor, says the council had decided to intervene to remove any uncertainty about its commencement at UOW next year.
‘It will enable progress to continue despite any continuing legal challenge to the vice- chancellor’s earlier approval decision’ to fast track the formal approval of the degree, she stated.