An inquiry by NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption into alleged nepotism at the University of Wollongong began on Monday to examine whether the supposed rot went all the way to the top.
The state's anti-corruption body is examining whether chancellor Michael Still, the university's chief governance officer Alyssa White or other staff and contractors improperly awarded or influenced a contract to Aspirall Consulting International.
The watchdog is additionally scrutinising whether Ms White, a former University of Sydney administrator, subverted recruitment processes or governance roles to benefit her friends and former colleagues at the Illawarra university.
The first hearing kicked off on Monday with counsel assisting Emma Bathurst outlining recruitment practices that Ms White actively oversaw using her social and professional connections.
"Ms White's objective (was) to stack the university governance and policy division with her friends," Ms Bathurst told the inquiry in her opening statement.
"Evidence suggests ... Ms White's loyalty, perhaps favouritism, of her former University of Sydney colleagues is also demonstrated in respect of her role."
In one message, Ms White effectively coached her high school friend Matthew Dawkins, who was self-employed as an electrician operating his business called Top Bloke.
"You have to make it clear we don't know each other when we start, or that you know me from working here at orientation," she wrote in 2024 email.
"Just ham it up because that's how I'm going to introduce you to the team."
He was recruited as governance and policy coordinator after she sat on the interview panel.
The university's chancellor Michael Still stepped aside in June days after the investigation was announced.
He said he would return pending the results of the inquiry.
Mr Still will be under the spotlight as ICAC explores whether he failed to manage a conflict of interest by employing John Dewar as interim vice-chancellor and engaging a consulting firm which employed Dr Dewar as a senior partner.
The National Tertiary Education Union is locked in disputes with three separate NSW universities in the Fair Work Commission over failures to consult on major restructures, which resulted in hundreds of staff losing their jobs and courses being cancelled.
Several Australian universities have been mired in explosive governance allegations that have seen officials resign, including Australian National University chancellor and former foreign affairs minister Julie Bishop.
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