Review of university governance must be urgent priority
8 February 2000
The National Tertiary Education Union, representing staff in universities, has supported the call for a Victorian Ministerial Inquiry into the governance structures of public universities. Such an Inquiry should assist other State and Commonwealth Governments to review university governance structures more widely, and assess the impact of Commonwealth Government funding changes on quality and accountability.
In the Senate today, Senator Kim Carr tabled an internal report into alleged attempts by a student to influence his assessment at the University of Melbourne. In doing so, he called for the Victorian Government to investigate the impact of amendments to the University\'s Act that reduced the size and representativeness of the University\'s governing body.
\'This report raises serious concerns about policies and processes within the University, but apparently it was not provided to the University\'s Academic Board or University Council. The recommendations contained in that report have not been acted upon. It seems the University is more concerned about its reputation than it is with maintaining quality and standards\' said NTEU President Carolyn Allport.
\'This is a direct reflection of the fact that university governing bodies are becoming increasingly distanced from questions of quality and academic integrity. Too often their activities are geared towards boosting revenue and winning rich friends. They behave like corporate boards, without demonstrating even that level of accountability. University Governance must include staff, student and community representation, to ensure that public confidence is maintained and matters of academic importance are addressed.\'
\'We want such a review to address the impact of changes to governance on the quality of our universities, but also to come up with positive recommendations for change.\'
\'The problem goes far beyond the Victorian jurisdiction and is a matter of national importance,\' said Dr Allport. `Melbourne University receives $300m in taxpayer funding a year. The university sector as a whole receives around $4 billion. It is essential that the public can have confidence in the quality and integrity of its operations, and that university governing bodies act in the public interest.\'