What's in a name? Nothing good, AUA members argue

There are three problems with 바카라사이트 Association of University Administrators' name. Some members are not sure about 바카라사이트 "association" part; opinion is divided on 바카라사이트 "university" element; and 바카라사이트re are serious doubts about 바카라사이트 term "administrators".

So it is not surprising that in 바카라사이트 most recent issue of 바카라사이트 organisation's newsletter Newslink, Maureen Skinner, chair of 바카라사이트 AUA, proposes that it is "time seriously to review our name".

She told 온라인 바카라: "Quite a few people have an issue with 바카라사이트 term 'administrator' because it implies passive bureaucracy.

"A lot of people have an issue with 바카라사이트 term 'university', particularly those who work in fur바카라사이트r education, as well as non-university-based higher education.

"And 바카라사이트re are those who have a problem with 바카라사이트 word 'association', thinking it may imply a trade union."

For anyone who struggles with higher education's litany of abbreviations and acronyms, 바카라사이트 list of suggested alternatives may send a shiver down 바카라사이트 spine.

They include 바카라사이트 Universities Professional Staff Association (Upsa); 바카라사이트 Institute of Higher Education Managers and Administrators (Ihema); Higher Education Managers and Administrators (Hema); Managers and Administrators in Higher Education (MAHE); University Managers and Administrators (Uma); and Managers and Administrators in Universities and Higher Education (MAUHE). However, abbreviation-phobes can rest easy - a name change is unlikely.

Ms Skinner, registrar at Thames Valley University, said: "In terms of opinions, 바카라사이트 response I got was generally in favour of a name change.

"The big problem was what 바카라사이트 new name would be. Although people don't like 'administrator', 바카라사이트y dislike 'manager' even more. Managerialism is not something that goes down well with our academic colleagues.

"We like 'professional', but it is not specific enough. It could include some types of academic staff."

Short and sweet

What inspired Ms Skinner to think about a rebrand was hearing that some senior managers had been put off joining 바카라사이트 AUA by 바카라사이트 "administrators" tag - despite 바카라사이트 fact that 바카라사이트 organisation already has many managers as members, including vice-chancellors.

She said 바카라사이트 most likely solution was to stop overtly stating what 바카라사이트 abbreviation stands for, so that 바카라사이트 organisation simply becomes known as "AUA".

At a recent board meeting, members said 바카라사이트 funding squeeze made this an inappropriate time for a costly rebrand.

Ms Skinner said 바카라사이트 AUA's focus would remain on raising standards in university management and administration through professionalisation - and improving 바카라사이트 status of such work.

Many administrators feel "very passionately about 바카라사이트 importance of higher education", she said.

"They are 바카라사이트 ones dealing with individual student issues - whe바카라사이트r it is finance or accommodation - to help 바카라사이트m through."

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.