[ad_1]
Trinity College Dublin seeks private legislation to exclude it from sweeping government reforms aimed at strengthening the accountability of higher education institutions.
In an unpublished presentation to the government, he says the planned changes threaten to undermine his autonomy, damage his academic standing and end his tradition of “collegiate government” that has served the university well for more than 400 years.
The proposals sparked alarm at a lengthy Trinity board meeting on Wednesday, with a senior source saying the government’s plans could spell “the end of Trinity as we know it.” The concerns arise from a movement to reform the governance and accountability of the tertiary sector by replacing the Higher Education Authority Act (1971). The changes, the biggest shock to higher education in 50 years, would slash university governing bodies, empower the minister to appoint a majority of external members, and provide a legal basis for conducting university performance reviews. universities.
Strengthen governance
In its presentation, Trinity says that while it agrees with plans to strengthen governance and accountability, important elements of the proposals present “fundamental difficulties.”
It is seeking legislation that excludes it from key aspects of the Government’s reform plans in order to preserve its “unique character and principles.”
He says there is precedence for this given that the university was excluded from reforming the legislation in 1997 and allowed to institute its own reforms.
He says it would be sensible to adopt a similar measure that “is sympathetic to Trinity’s unique legal character in undertaking reforms.”
A key concern within Trinity is a government plan to “massively reduce” its board from 27 to 12 members with a majority of external members appointed by the minister.
The majority of Trinity’s board of directors currently comes from elected staff, students and fellows, and steps to provide a majority of outside members would lead to a “knowledge deficit and a representation and morale deficit.”
He maintains that the proposed changes are disproportionate, given that the decline in state funding now accounts for about 40 percent of Trinity’s funding.
Trinity also said it has a distinctive status under the law that sets it apart, with legislation governing its relationship with the state dating back to 1592.
It says its chosen participatory government check and balance system is different from most other universities in the state.
Internal reforms
Trinity said it was already well advanced with its own internal reforms, which could move forward if new government legislation gives the university the space to do so.
“We believe that reforms could be introduced that respect the wishes of the Government while preserving many of the best aspects of the Trinity model,” he says.
He says that the governance of Trinity has been a major factor in its strong performance as Ireland’s top-ranked university in all rankings.
Government plans for a “co-regulation model” must be carefully adapted to respect university autonomy and individuality. Failure to do so, he says, could damage the university’s international reputation and standing.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said it is vitally important that strong and up-to-date legislation is enacted soon for the higher education sector as a whole.
He has said that the government’s vision is to guarantee institutional autonomy and academic freedom, while holding universities accountable to students and the state.
[ad_2]