University governance must improve, urge staff and students

Lecturer and student unions have issued a joint call for greater transparency in the running of Scotland's universities amid fears vital decisions are being taken without due attention to academic interests.

A submission obtained by The Journal drawn up by lecturers' union University and College Union (UCU) in response to a review of governance within the higher education sector has warned governing bodies of Scottish institutions lack the necessary representation to hold senior management to account.

The claim coincides with a separate submission from student body National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland, released today, which urged the introduction of democratically elected chairs at every Scottish university to ensure accountability stretches to the very top.

The declaration comes as The Journal today discloses the spiralling wages of managerial staff within the Scottish sector.

A UCU spokesman said: "We suggest the present governing bodies should seek to have increased representation from the diverse communities and stakeholders which universities serve as all too often the makeup of these bodies is slanted towards business interests.

"Lay members are predominately from either a business background or managers and directors in the public sector. Very few of the appointees to Court are from local communities or represent civic Scotland."

Figures issued by UCU revealed individuals from a managerial background make up 100 per cent of external University Court members at four institutions across Scotland, including Glasgow University.

Increased reliance on a narrow range of university users results in the governing body "taking into account financial considerations" only, the spokesman added.

Students leaders, meanwhile, delivered a series of recommendations aimed at rectifying governance with universities which "appears to be at best ill-defined and at worst contested".

According to NUS Scotland:

• Students’ associations should be recognised as independent but integral parts of the formal governance of Scottish universities.
• The appointment and recruitment process of university principals and lay members is in need of greater transparency with students involved as governors taking part in interview panels.
• Democratic accountability of universities could be enhanced through having democratically elected and accountable chairs at every Scottish university in an evolution of Scotland’s tradition of rectors.
• Universities should be more accountable for widening access to higher education with an independent body launched in Scotland with the ability to set institutional targets for widening access that if left unmet could leave institutions susceptible to fines.

Robin Parker, president of NUS Scotland said: "Universities are publically funded bodies, and they should be accountable and transparent.

"The Scottish university system has long had a democratic tradition, through the early introduction of rectors to its efforts at widening participation, but that progress has recently stagnated."

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “All submissions will be considered by the Higher Education Governance Review Panel, chaired by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski. "The Panel’s findings and recommendations to Ministers will be published towards the end of the year.”