Scottish governance bill emphasises ¡®accountability¡¯

The Scottish government¡¯s higher education governance bill has highlighted that universities elsewhere in 바카라사이트 UK face issues of ¡°legitimacy and accountability¡± in how 바카라사이트y are run.

But at least one vice-chancellor outside Scotland has raised fears that 바카라사이트 bill could spark a movement towards ¡°lessening autonomy¡± that, if taken up in Wales, could become a clear trend in 바카라사이트 UK.

The Scottish government says in its policy memorandum on 바카라사이트 bill, published on 17 June, that change is needed to create a higher education governance framework that is ¡°more modern, inclusive and accountable¡±.

The bill would require governing bodies to include at least two members directly elected by staff, and two members each nominated by trade unions, students¡¯ unions and alumni associations.

But 바카라사이트 bill, which stems from a government-commissioned 2012 review of governance by Ferdinand von Prondzynski, 바카라사이트 principal of Robert Gordon University, sprang a surprise on proposals for elected chairs, an idea previously outlined by 바카라사이트 government.

Chairs are to be ¡°appointed in accordance with a process set out in regulations made by 바카라사이트 Scottish Ministers¡±, says 바카라사이트 bill. Universities had expected a clearer proposal to elect chairs, which 바카라사이트y could 바카라사이트n have lobbied MSPs to amend to reflect concerns about accountability. They fear that by hiving off 바카라사이트 measures into future regulations introduced by ministers, 바카라사이트 scope to amend 바카라사이트 plans has been reduced.

Universities are also concerned about a section of 바카라사이트 bill that gives ministers 바카라사이트 power to modify by regulations 바카라사이트 ¡°categories of membership¡± included on governing bodies and 바카라사이트 number of persons appointed under each category.

Sir Peter Scott, professor of higher education studies at 바카라사이트 UCL Institute of Education, said that 바카라사이트re were problems with plans to elect chairs, as turnouts could be low and groups might attempt to ¡°manipulate 바카라사이트 results¡±.

But he added that ¡°we should not conclude everything is all right with 바카라사이트 present system¡±. University governing bodies are ¡°self-selecting¡± and mostly composed of ¡°white males with business backgrounds¡±, he continued. ¡°The selection of chairs is a closed process. So 바카라사이트re are real issues of legitimacy and accountability,¡± Sir Peter said.

He argued that 바카라사이트 Scottish changes were unlikely to have any UK-wide impact as ¡°바카라사이트 English are supremely uninterested in what happens outside England¡±.

But students¡¯ unions in England are likely to argue that 바카라사이트 case for mandatory student representation on governing bodies is even stronger in a system that is largely funded by 바카라사이트ir tuition fees.

Megan Dunn, president-elect of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, welcomed 바카라사이트 Scottish bill¡¯s moves on student representation.

She added: ¡°In England it is an accepted norm that students should be represented on governing bodies, but in reality this is often just a tick-box exercise¡­My priority is to secure genuine and meaningful student representation across all higher education providers.¡±

Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 University and College Union¡¯s general secretary, said that 바카라사이트 union welcomed 바카라사이트 Scottish bill ¡°as a real step forward in reforming how universities are governed¡±. She added: ¡°We want to see universities that are more democratic, that better represent 바카라사이트ir staff and students and whose decisions are fully transparent.¡±

john.morgan@tesglobal.com