The academic council of UCC will meet in special session today as the dispute over the tenure of the university's president, Prof Gerry Wrixon, deepens.
The governing authority has offered Prof Wrixon a five-year extension even though he is 63 in May. About one-third of the 175-member academic council has pushed for this afternoon's meeting.
Prof Wrixon will not attend the meeting but he seems determined to see off his detractors. He will formally accept the offer of a five- year extension to his contract at the next governing authority meeting next month.
UCC is the third-largest university in the State, but its success in securing research funding eclipses that of UCD and Trinity. The college also has one of the lowest drop-out rates among its 10,000-plus students.
Prof Wrixon has said he is proud of the world-class service the college provides across a range of disciplines. But he has also castigated those who "don't achieve and are not interested in achieving".
Life on the campus has become increasingly dominated by the internecine battle over Prof Wrixon's tenure. The president has been in office since 1999. His opponents say an additional term is undemocratic.
His supporters say his experience is required to drive the college to new heights.
Eight senior professors have condemned the governing authorities decision to grant him an additional five years. They claim that under the Universities Act 1997, the president can hold office for 10 years, but not if he reaches the age of 65 first.
However, it is understood that the governing body received detailed legal advice before offering him an extended term.
Some staff claim that if Prof Wrixon is allowed remain beyond 65, other academics will have to be granted similar arrangements.
Prof Wrixon is a controversial figure who draws admiration and criticism in equal measure. His hard-nosed, pro-business approach has been a major factor in the success of UCC.
But his support for a corporate-type structure in the university is opposed by many academics. Neither Prof Wrixon nor the university's press office would make any comment yesterday.
The head of the economics department, Prof Connell Fanning, has led the campaign against an extension for Prof Wrixon. Late last year, he wrote an open letter to staff, in which he called for the issue to be reviewed by a joint committee, composed of staff and governing body members.