Uni administration should stick to its core functions
Students and staff at the University of Otago should be able to enjoy the greatest possible independence, writes Joss Miller.
THE recent destruction by the Proctor’s Office and Campus Watch of hundreds of copies of the Otago University students’ magazine Critic has justifiably prompted protest and considerable concern.
The university quickly endeavoured to distance itself from these actions and said it was a regrettable mistake, and the proctor has since apologised. However, the proctor and Campus Watch are employees of the university and have no authority whatsoever to act as censors, and neither does the university. This was a gross abuse by the university and/or its agents of the right to free expression and free speech.
What is of equal concern is that this type of authoritarianism has been in evidence for a number of years but has gone under the radar to some extent. In 2012, for instance, the university created an ‘‘Advisory Board’’ for Critic but never actually explained the purpose of that. Presumably it involved some sort of monitoring oversight role which, of course, is an intrusion into the autonomy of the publishers.
In 2014 a total campus smoking ban was implemented without any consideration for smokers or the creation of any areas where they could smoke. That decision was not in keeping with one of the duties of the University Council to not unfairly discriminate against any person.
The extensive implementation of CCTV cameras earlier this year is a significant intrusion into student privacy and although there had been a level of consultation students were divided on the issue and no compelling mandate was ever given for this. This is on top of the ever present quasi police
Campus Watch and the authority of the proctor. Current job restructuring and concerns about lack of consultation has also created considerable unease. Even the Otago University Students’ Association is dependent on the university for funding, thus impacting on its independence and overall effectiveness.
The University of Otago has never been in the same league as, say, Berkeley or the Sorbonne when it comes to protests. However, there have been notable periods in its history where the authorities have been challenged over student fees and other issues, resulting on occasion in Registry sitins and vocal and colourful exchanges. A university campus should be a place where free speech and great ideas resonate and where the administration should be a bystander and not a participant. It was interesting to note that some academics attended the Clocktower protest at the weekend but were keen to point out they did so in their personal capacity as members of the public. What would the consequence be for them if they spoke out in their professional capacity? It is also interesting to note that the protest was watched from a distance by members of Campus Watch!
It is sad to observe that some of the colour has gone out of student life in the last decade or so, with the increasing demands for higher grades and the burden of student debt no doubt being factors. There is still the annual Hyde Street party but even Orientation Week seems much more muted than it used to be. The Undie 500, a most novel and creative event, has faded into the ether along with student floats and other such parades which everyone in Dunedin could view and enjoy. Many former students of the University of Otago have been enriched by their experiences in halls of residences, flats, sports, cultural activities, parties and all the variety of events and stimuli available beyond the purely academic. In my view, the university administration should not be acting in a paternalistic manner and intruding into the private realm. It should adhere to its primary functions which are found in section 162 (4) of the Education Act, 1989. In essence, they are: a primary concern with advanced learning; interdependence of research and teaching; meeting international standards of research and teaching; a repository of knowledge and expertise; a role as a critic and conscience of society; diversity of teaching and research.
The university administration needs to stick to its core functions, as does Campus Watch and the proctor. Students should be able to enjoy the greatest possible independence, as should academic staff. Current suspicions and tensions will continue unless properly addressed. The reputation of Otago University is at stake.