The vice-chancellor at the University of New England has resigned after she was charged with assault over an International Women’s Day event where she allegedly wiped saliva on a schoolgirl’s face while commenting on the colour of her skin.
Brigid Heywood, who has led the university since 2019, has been charged with common assault and behaving in an offensive manner in or near a public place over an incident at a club in Armidale in March.
Heywood was at the club to speak on a panel marking International Women’s Day, and has been accused by the school girl’s family of rubbing her saliva on the girl’s forehead.
UNE chancellor James Harris confirmed in a statement on Friday evening that the university’s council had accepted Heywood’s resignation.
“The university council and professor Heywood acknowledge the criminal charges laid against her … and the widespread attention and concern this has garnered within the university and the broader community,” he said.
Harris said Heywood had formed the view it was in the “best interests” of the community she resign, while she continued to “strenuously deny” any truth to the charges. The council said it did not intend to comment about the charges while they were before court.
“Both professor Heywood and the university council acknowledge the deep hurt felt by many on hearing of the charges,” he said. “[The] council wants to clearly state it remains deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful environment.”
Harris acknowledged Heywood’s “significant contribution” to the university since her term in July 2019 including her “strong leadership” during the challenges of the pandemic.
The girl’s father told the Sydney Morning Herald that the university council “are the ones that need to be put on the spot. The public needs to know how the UNE is dragging their heels”. the girl’s father told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“For five months there has been no concern whatsoever for my daughter,” he said.
He said his daughter has become “withdrawn” since the incident.
NSW police said a “girl had allegedly been assaulted at an event at a club in Armidale on Tuesday 8 March, 2022”.
“Following extensive inquiries, officers attached to New England Police District issued a 65-year-old woman a future court attendance notice for common assault and behave in offensive manner (sic) in/near public place/school.”
The National Territory Education Union NSW division secretary, Damien Cahill, said the union was “shocked” at the charges.
As vice-chancellor, Heywood answered to the university’s council and chancellor, and was on an annual salary of $676,000.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall, whose electorate includes Armidale, where the university is based, earlier called on Heywood to step down until the conclusion of court proceedings.
“The University of New England council, as the employer of the vice-chancellor, has the power and authority to stand the vice-chancellor down and as someone who has always proudly supported and defended the university, I implore the council to move quickly in this direction,” he said.
Heywood is due before the Armidale local court on 26 September.
