Tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes is among 32 signatories to an open-letter calling for the University of Newcastle to show greater leadership as the Hunter transitions to a clean energy future.
The letter, which appears in Friday's Herald, comes at the end of an extraordinary week which saw former deputy prime minister Mark Vaile walk away from his appointment as the institution's next chancellor following a campaign that targeted his association with the fossil fuel industry.
The campaign culminated when sixteen philanthropists said they had blacklisted the institution as a result of Mr Vaile's appointment.
In a parting shot Mr Vaile, who is chairman of Whitehaven Coal, described the campaign against him as "unjustified" and "led by minority groups placing ideology before proper governance".
Friday's open letter calls on the university to live up to its motto 'I look ahead'.
"We look ahead to the university turning the fine words in its strategic plan into fine actions that can inspire and draw on the enthusiasm and passion for the university that has been on display for the past two weeks..."
Former Wallabies captain and philanthropist David Pocock challenged the university to show leadership on climate change.
"The climate and biodiversity crises are the biggest challenges we face, and we need universities to be contributing ideas and showing leadership when it comes to rising to these challenges," Mr Pocock, who has signed both open-letters, said.
"Places like Newcastle will need imagination and bold leadership as they transition from coal to industries in a net zero emissions future. This is a huge opportunity if we can get it right,"
The university has confirmed that it will not seek to replace Mr Vaile. Instead incumbent chancellor Paul Jeans will serve another four years in the role.
Mr Jeans, who has already served two terms, is likely to become the institution's longest serving chancellor.
Sir Alister McMullin served between 1966 and 1977, Sir Bede Callaghan 1977 to 1988, Justice Elizabeth Evatt 1988 to 1994, Ric Charlton 1994 to 2004, Trevor Waring 2004 to 2012, Ken Moss 2012, Paul Jeans 2013 to present.
University of Newcastle Students Association president Luka Harrison said the organisation was disappointed that Mr Jeans had been reappointed.
"This reappointment is a perfect example of the issues that the failed Vaile appointment highlights," he said.
UNSA has called for the university's governance processes, particularly those involving senior appointments, to be reviewed.
"Students and staff are a university's most important stakeholders. Without those two, you don't have a university," Mr Harrison said.
"The fact that this decision was made by a council that only has five staff and student representatives is disgraceful. The people that teach and learn at our university are being locked out of important decisions. We need greater transparency and accountability from university council and greater representation of both staff and students."
