A major loss of confidence in the Vice-Chancellor of the Australian University, Genevieve Bell, has sparked new pressure on her to resign.
After resisting months of increasingly loud calls from senior academics, a visit to the campus by the university's chancellor, Julie Bishop, and a loss of confidence by academic deans have created intense scrutiny about Professor Bell's future.
The ANU has denied news reports that Professor Bell was actively negotiating her departure.
A report in The Saturday Paper said negotiations were now under way to settle the terms of her exit, including what would be a substantial payout.
However, it is understood that a majority of academic deans have written to the university's council to express their loss of confidence in Professor Bell.
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