UCU: Governance in further and higher education institutions -National executive

Motion

Motion title: Governance in further and higher education institutions -National executive

Motion text: Congress welcomes the policy statement on good governance in further and higher education and endorses the principles of public service, academic freedom, representativeness and democracy, inclusivity, openness, fairness and accountability.
These principles have been undermined by unrepresentative governing bodies dominated by business interests and controlled by cabals of senior managers. Effective staff representation has been reduced or removed; the power and influence of other components of democratic institutional governance such as academic boards and senates have been down downgraded or neutralised.
Congress believes that good governance underpins the ability of institutions to serve the needs of their students and to fulfil their responsibilities to their local communities and the wider society. It is also essential to the creation of an academic community in which the professionalism of staff is respected and their expert views heard.
Congress therefore calls on the NEC to campaign for the implementation of the policy statement.