Jun 25, 2013 08:56 AM EDT By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Gerry McCormac, the president of University of Sterling has become the subject of criticism for renovating his on-campus home for $ 231,799. Critics have slammed the refurbishment saying that it exhibited bad governance. In the recent past, the university has laid off dozens of staff to efficiently manage the multi-million dollars funding gap.

The Scottish university claims that renovation of the president's home- '1 Airthrey Castle Yard,' - a category A listed residence, was ordered way back in May 2010, the same month McCormac started his tenure at the university.

Overall, the face-lift included landscaping the garden ($69,139); kitchen materials ($34,105); wardrobe fitments and under-floor insulation ($18,794); tiles and bathroom accessories ($3, 697); lighting improvements ($2, 382); floor coverings ($10,491); entrance ramp ($30,010); and new alarm and fire systems ($9,883).

Plus, a washer-dryer, new radiators and a tumble dryer were also newly installed.

In 2009, the university introduced staff voluntary redundancy that resulted in over 100 resignations. In 2011, the university employees protested against a plan that suggested making 17 members of staff compulsorily redundant. At the time, the university stated that layoffs were part of a $2.16 million deficit faced in one of the University's institutes.

 "Many staff was utterly demoralized by the way cuts were enforced without proper negotiation and consultation in 2011. The university needs to provide strong justification for major spending decisions like this, especially when staff is still sore from the experience of job losses," said Mark Ruskell, Green Party Councillor for the university campus.

Ruskell wants the university officials to provide a proper explanation for the spending.

"Spending over $ 231,799 on the principal's residence after Stirling University was arguing for savings by making staff redundant is shameful. This is another example of the failure of the governance at the university in agreeing such a spend, while at the same time union plans to save money were not given a proper hearing. This is another example of why we need a strong governance code, not one that is drafted by former managers," Mary Senior, who represents some staff, said.

According to the contract, the university's president must live at the house, which was built in 1969.

 "The house forms part of the university's estate portfolio. The principal and vice-chancellor are required as a matter of contract of employment to live on the university's campus. The house provided is also used for events relating to the business of the university. Other than routine maintenance, this was the first major refurbishment of the house after a number of years of minimal expenditure," a university spokesman said.

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