Councils have things covered, according to Chancellors – but there is one exception to the great job their universities are doing.
University Chancellors Council chair John Pollaers (Swinburne U) sets out the achievements of his members’ institutions in a submission to the Senate committee inquiry into university governance. And he warns, “overregulation can limit innovation and academic freedom, both of which are essential components of the higher education sector.”
However, Professor Pollaers does acknowledge, “over the last few years, there has been some breakdowns in management systems that has led to poor outcomes for staff at an institutional level.” But, not to worry, “universities maintain a strong commitment to ensuring that staff rights and workplace laws are respected.” While he does not expand on the issue, perhaps he refers to university failures to pay staff agreed rates, as outlined by the Fair Work Ombudsman at Wednesday’s Committee hearing.
However, he is quite clear on other issues, including;
- UCC “strongly supports” Education Minister Jason Clare’s recently announced expert council on university governance;
- TEQSA’s “roles and powers are sufficient;”
- Councils are diverse in membership, which are specified by their various acts of State Parliaments ;
- university’s financial reports are “subject to rigorous internal and external audit processes;”
- executive pay and consultants “are designed to balance the need to attract high-quality academic and executive leadership with the responsibility of maintaining financial sustainability”
