what was the "colraine university controversy" ?

Answer 1

Would this be what you mean?

University of Ulster, Coleraine.

"The University of Ulster has promised wide-ranging changes to the way it is run following the controversy over its former vice-chancellor, Gerry McKenna.
Professor McKenna has agreed to step down and will return to the university in August in the less powerful role of university president.
The university ordered a report into the way Mr McKenna did his job after complaints by senior university staff.
Some findings of the still confidential report have been sent to staff.
This was done in an effort to reassure them that flaws in managing the university will not re-occur.
Full details of the accusations made against Mr McKenna are not spelt out, but the message, sent by e-mail, said the report found "a lack of confidence by the majority of senior officers".
It also said there was "cause for concern" in the management of the university.
It is understood the report found sufficient grounds to hold a disciplinary tribunal, but a deal worked out last month meant the vice-chancellor would step down from that role and continue for one year as a roving ambassador for the university.
The report also recommended changes to the way the university is managed which, it says, are now being planned.
A senior member of the university teachers' union, the AUT, said more details of the report into Mr McKenna's conduct should have been revealed, but welcomed the proposed changes to the way the university is governed.
In the past, the spokesperson has said too much control was in the power of one individual and the structures were not robust enough to withstand pressure."

Answer 2

I think you are referring to the controversy in 1965 when the location of the proposed University of Ulster was awarded to the predominantly Protestant Coleraine over the (much larger) mainly Catholic Derry. This was deemed by local Nationalist politicians such as John Hume and Ivan Cooper as evidence of the Unionist establishment discriminating against Catholics to bolster their own economic interests. It was another impetus toward the action of the Civil Rights Asociation which exposed sectarian divides and led to what is euphemistically known as "the troubles".