UCU: Reform of university governance

Motion

Motion text: Conference believes:
i. that the financial and structural problems experienced in tertiary education are exacerbated by poor management, exemplified perfectly by the attempt at Sussex to close the Chemistry Dept;

ii. that current thinking about HE management, i. e. that the VC must act like a private sector CEO in order to 'manage' the University, is erroneous;

iii. that universities are not businesses, and managerial styles designed for the private sector are anathema to the philosophy of higher education

2. Conference recognises:

i. that university governance is inadequate, resulting in consistently poor management being endorsed or excused at the expense of staff and students

3. Conference instructs:

i. the NEC to campaign to (a) highlight the current inadequacy of, and (b) change the system of governance in our institutions with the aim of bringing about their democratic self-governance so they can reflect the needs of staff, students and local communities.