University governance may see major shake-up

Key academic figures could face being elected into their jobs

Careful amendments will be needed. PROFESSOR PETE DOWNES

Key figures in Scotland’s universities could face being elected into the job as a result of new legislation just published by the Scottish Government.

The Higher Education (Governance) Scotland Bill puts forward plans for a major shake-up of how universities are governed.

This includes a requirement for university chairs to be appointed in line with an agreed, consistent process, with ministers planning on using this to introduce elections for these positions.

The Scottish Government had already proposed that the chair of university courts – the governing bodies of the institutions – should be voted in by a “balanced and representative electorate” of “appropriate persons”.

More than three-quarters (78%) of those who responded to a consultation were opposed to this, with some universities arguing it could see chairs being appointed when they do not have the confidence of the governing body.

But Education Secretary Angela Constance said the proposed legislation would “create a more modern and accountable framework of governance” for higher education.

If passed, the bill would also make sure staff, students and trade unions are all represented on university governing bodies and would strengthen the definition of academic freedom.

A new code of governance was adopted in 2013, which Universities Scotland said had led to more than 350 changes across the sector in less than two years.

Professor Pete Downes, convener of Universities Scotland and principal of Dundee University, said: “Universities believe we have a strong system of effective, inclusive and accountable governance in place. It is a system that is open to evolution and improvement.

However, he added that “careful amendments will be needed to avoid the risk that lines of accountability are weakened or the objectivity of governors is compromised”.