KEY POINTS:
The academic fired for sending an angry email to a student refusing her an assignment extension, has lodged an appeal in the Employment Court to get his job back.
Dr Paul Buchanan was awarded $66,000 in lost wages and compensation by the Employment Court last month but it was deemed that his relationship with the University of Auckland had been damaged and he could not have his job back.
The Association of University Staff has filed the appeal on behalf of Buchanan.
Deputy secretary Marty Braithwiate said Dr Buchanan's reinstatement was always the primary objective of taking the case to the Employment Court in the first place.
"This was an important issue for Dr Buchanan, particularly given that the effect of the loss of his job effectively ended his academic career in New Zealand," Mr Braithwaite said.
Mr Braithwaite said Dr Buchanan was pleased that the appeal is going ahead.
He said he could not comment on whether or not the dismissal was affecting Buchanan's appeal overseas but that it didn't "look good on an employment record".
A date for the case has yet to be put down.
Scott Mansell is a friend and former student of Dr Buchanan and has been in touch with him on a regular basis since the decision last month.
Mr Mansell said Dr Buchanan believes that once the facts are on the table, he will be able to get his job back.
``He wouldn't be going down this path if he thought it was a waste of time,' he said.
Mr Mansell said Dr Buchanan is ``finding it tough' because he hasn't been able to work since July last year.
``He worked at his career for 20 years and he's had it taken away because of one minor discretion,' Mr Mansell said.
Dr Buchanan is internationally recognised as an expert in terrorism and US foreign policy. He was employed by the university in July 1997 as senior lecturer in Latin American politic studies.
Dr Buchanan was sacked over an email he sent to a student requesting an extension to an essay in May 2007.
The student from the United Arab Emirates, whose name has been suppressed, had requested an extension, saying her father had died in Dubai.
Dr Buchanan wrote: "I say this reluctantly but not subtly: you are not suitable for a graduate degree. It does not matter if your father died or if you have a medical certificate.
"You are close to failing in any event, so these sort of excuses - culturally driven and preying on some sort of Western liberal guilt - are simply lame."
He then apologised without being prompted.
University of Auckland spokesman Bill Williams said the university was not aware of the grounds of the appeal and would not be commenting.
Dr Buchanan said he would not be commenting on the appeal after being advised by his lawyer.
He Buchanan is now living in Singapore.
- NZHERALD STAFF
