Background
HEC welcomed the outcome of the review of higher education governance in Scotland, published in January. The review panel included a UCU representative and represents a major step forward in UCU’s work to promote good governance in the sector. The recommendations of the report align closely with the recommendations of HEC’s governance working party, made in February 2010. In particular the Report recommends:
- Protecting academic freedom and institutional autonomy
- The appointment of two nominees of both students and staff unions to the governing body and committees
- Greater transparency in appointments and remuneration of senior management
- Election for chairs of governing bodies
- A broadening of the experience of governing body members and greater transparency in appointment procedures
- Reserving the designation ‘university’ to independent public bodies accredited in Scotland
HEC agreed on the need to publicise the recommendations of the report in the hope that the good practice advocated could be developed as a model across the UK.
The coverage in the Times Higher over the announcement of the report tended to highlight the negative views of Principals and portrayed this as a view of the sector. In response a UCU letter and a NUS Letter were published in the next issue. Further the letter Wholly effective from Terry Brotherstone was published in the following issue.
Further information:
Ian Macwhirter on the Prondzynski Report: http://iainmacwhirter2.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/prondzynski-report-principals-fight.html
The Prondzynski Report itself: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/02/3646/0
