University of Limerick Chancellor Mary Harney
Thursday, 4 June 2020

To all staff and students of University of Limerick:

Dear All,

As you are already aware Dr Des Fitzgerald will resign as President of UL with effect from 31st August next and I am writing to update you on steps that are being taken by the Governing Authority as a result.

Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the contribution that Des has made to UL. When Des invited me to take on the role of Chancellor I was honoured to accept and was excited by the vision that he espoused for this great institution. As President he has pursued that vision with energy and has ensured that UL’s enviable reputation for innovation continues to be enhanced. I am sure you will join me in wishing him and his family well for the future.

I have appointed a sub-committee of the Governing Authority to consider and make recommendations for an interim appointment. Since Des will effectively take leave from 13th July 2020, an Acting appointment will be made from then until 31st August and an Interim President from that date until a new full-term appointment is made. It is likely that the Acting and Interim roles will be filled by the same person.

An international recruitment search for a successor President will begin in the Autumn and the process of appointment is likely to take over a year.

The sub-committee will conduct its affairs openly and fairly in identifying and recommending a suitable person(s) for the Acting/Interim role. To that end the HR Director will seek expressions of interest shortly.

The Acting/Interim President will not be precluded from applying for the full-term post.

I wish to take this opportunity to wish all of you well for the summer period and every success in your preparation for September.

Mary Harney
Chancellor, University of Limerick