University staff and the students' union were yesterday divided on the council's handling of the inquiry panel's report on the polling controversy.
Chan Che-wai, Hong Kong University Staff Association chairman, said members respected and supported the resignations of Professors Cheng and Wong.
'It proves the university's interest has come first for both of them compared with their personal interest,' he said.
Mr Chan said the association also accepted the council's decision not to vote on the panel's report.
'The university has gone through a very difficult time in the past few weeks. What we need to do now is to deal with the questions left behind. Among others, the most important one is how to ensure the selection of the new vice-chancellor is fair and open so as to rebuild public confidence in the university,' he said.
Mr Chan said the association would write to university council chairman Yang Ti Liang and the council suggesting at least one representative from the university staff should sit on the selection committee given the task of appointing the new vice-chancellor.
Gloria Chang Wan-ki, president of the university's student union, and one of the four student representatives on the council, said she was 'completely disappointed' that no decision was taken on the panel report.