Vice-chancellor Cheng Yiu-chung, pro-vice-chancellor Wong Siu-lun and the Chief Executive's aide Andrew Lo Cheung-on all faced a barrage of calls for their resignation following the report's release.
Professor Cheng's credibility had been undermined and it was not appropriate for him to remain vice-chancellor, said Democrat James To Kun-sun, a university court member. 'Public expectation on the integrity of a university head is higher than others,' he said. 'How can Professor Cheng help the university regain its reputation if his personal credibility is in doubt?'
He said Mr Lo, the Chief Executive's aide, should also leave his position. 'He represents Tung Chee-hwa to various people in society and having high integrity is very important,' Mr To said.
Students chanted slogans and brandished banners attacking the Chief Executive's Office and the university management outside the senate room where the university council discussed the independent panel's inquiry report.
The students' union called for the resignations of Professor Cheng, Professor Wong and the entire management team, as it had failed to address the pressure placed on pollster Dr Robert Chung Ting-yiu.
Hong Kong University Students' Union president Gloria Chang Wan-ki, a council member, said the union would not accept the report.
'The panel has failed to deal with the fundamental issue of whether there were interferences with academic freedom,' she said. 'We don't regard this as a comprehensive and credible investigation.' Ms Chang said the Legislative Council should set up its own inquiry into the alleged gag on the opinion polls carried out by Dr Chung. She described Professor Cheng's threat to take the panel to court as 'strange' and 'accepting only victory but not failure'.
