Degrees of dishonour

The University reserves the right to decline any gift. Donation activities should be congruent with the University’s established mission, values and ethical codes. Principle 5.9 (ethical code) and Policy 8 (refusal of donation), Policy and Procedures, 2007.

The University of Melbourne has not only awarded Mr Richard Pratt an Honorary Doctor of Laws, but its Melbourne Business School deposited a $1 million cheque in 1998 from the Pratt Foundation, creating the Pratt Family Chair of Leadership and Decision Making.

It’s downright tragic that while one part of Melbourne Business School harvests the interest from Mr Pratt’s fat donation, in another part of the school, of all things, “business ethics” is taught (PDF 117KB).

Every now and again an organisation is caught napping, having done (what has proven in retrospect to be) the wrong thing. And once in a while, organisations have the opportunity to set things right; the chance to undo a previous wrong; the opportunity to say “no” to certain gifts; and the prospect of saying “yes,” to enhancing its reputation.

The window of redemption is currently open for the University of Melbourne.

Will Professor Davis do what needs to be done? Or must the students lead the Vice Chancellor, kicking and screaming, to the moral high ground?