Improved Governance for Victorian Universities: Report
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) has welcomed the report of the “Review of University Governance” released by the Victorian Government today.The report has recommended improved oversight of university commercial operations, strengthened provisions relating to conflict of interest, and measures to prevent misuse of public funds. The report has also recommended against delegation of university council responsibilities.
NTEU National President, Dr. Carolyn Allport, said that the union was pleased that many of the concerns it raised had been acknowledged, and that the report offered a useful way forward for universities in an increasingly commercialised environment.
“Universities are becoming more reliant on private sources of funding because of the inadequacy of government funding, yet universities rightly remain public institutions. It is increasingly important to ensure that this reliance on private funding does not undermine the traditional role of the university, and that is precisely what this report is aimed at.
“The recommendations of this report, when implemented, will ensure that the objects of universities are specified in the acts of parliament which establish them, and those objects will include serving the public interest by promoting critical inquiry. They will also lead to improved risk management in relation to commercial activities, and consolidate the position of university councils in managing their responsibilities.
“The activities of a number of universities have raised concerns about how universities are engaging with the corporate world. Instances of perceived conflict of interest, delegation of council powers to ‘Chancellor’s Committees’, and use of public funds for commercial purposes have been widely reported in recent years. It is encouraging that the Victorian Government has taken these matters seriously and is now moving to implement significant changes.
Dr Allport concluded by saying that the union was concerned about one recommendation, which could be used by universities to prevent access to information by elected council members.
“The report recommends university acts specify that council members must act solely in the interests of the university. On face value, this is clearly appropriate, and staff and student representatives are elected to carry out this role. A strong university council is one that can embrace difference of opinion as to what those interests might be, and have the credibility to resolve differences among council members. This recommendation however needs to be very closely monitored, since some universities restrict access to important information, and in some cases legal action has been taken to make such information public. Universities should, as the report notes, ensure that governance procedures are transparent, accountable, efficient and in the public interest.”
Further comment:
Dr Carolyn Allport
National President
Tel 03 9254 1910
Mob 0408 559 448
Greg McConville
Policy and Research Officer
Tel: 03 9254 1910
Mob: 0408 559 448