Government undermines university councils

Government has this week undermined democracy in universities and wananga, says the Quality Public Education Coalition (QPEC). The Education Amendment Bill, passed Feb 10, takes away the legal right for staff and students to elect representatives to their governing councils. Staff and students are the core elements of universities. But the vote in Parliament means that they have no say on council in decisions that vitally affect them.

"There are other problems with this move," says Dr David Cooke, spokesperson for QPEC on tertiary issues. "Councils lose essential input and scrutiny from the staff, who carry out the basic work of the university. and from the students, who are paying hefty fees for their education." Both parties have an essential part to play in university functioning. "That's now just been jettisoned for no good reason."

At the same time, councils have been restructured to more easily allow government intervention in university life. Through their ministerial appointees, forming a third of council membership, government ensures that it has increasing influence on council decision-making. "Since government holds the purse-strings, ministerial appointees will have disproportionate influence on council discussions and decisions," says Dr Cooke.

"This government is threatening autonomy and academic freedom in the university." says Dr Cooke.

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