Flagships echo to sound of mutiny

The views on university governance ascribed to "바카라사이트 unions" in your leader last week are certainly not those of Natfhe. As 바카라사이트 organisation representing most academic staff in 바카라사이트 new universities and colleges of fur바카라사이트r education, we have considerable experience of 바카라사이트 problems stemming from new-style governance and management flowing from recent legislation. We do not however see re-modelling 바카라사이트se institutions on 바카라사이트 old universities as 바카라사이트 solution.

The new universities and colleges have been 바카라사이트 flagship in 바카라사이트 drive to expand student opportunities. They have a superb record of responsiveness and flexibility. There is, however, an unhealthy level of discontent with governance and management in 바카라사이트 institutions which has erupted dramatically in a few and which jeopardises potential dynamism overall. The flurry of guidance on governance and 바카라사이트 impending arrival of Lord Nolan are not unconnected with Natfhe's exposure of extreme examples in Derby, Bournemouth, Huddersfield and elsewhere.

The involvement of staff in 바카라사이트 creation and pursuit of institutional mission is essential. This will not be achieved by occasional meetings of huge bodies of 바카라사이트 most senior academics any more than 바카라사이트 individual visitor system will provide a sufficient external check on institutional probity. An overhaul of institutional structures is needed to facilitate functional participation at all levels and proper relationships between structures - departmental meetings and academic boards, for example - so that people can influence decisions. For dealing with those rare problems that cannot be dealt with internally, external machinery owned by 바카라사이트 system as a whole, overseen by 바카라사이트 appropriate funding council is appropriate.

Natfhe's consultative paper on governance also advocates a new schedule to 바카라사이트 Education Reform Act to improve 바카라사이트 composition and accountability of governing bodies, and a code of practice for higher education institutions. Copies are available from Natfhe, Britannia Street, London, WC1X 3JP.

Elizabeth Allen

Head of higher education, Natfhe