Tories Brand University Governance Bill 'Academic Vandalism'
The Scottish Conservatives are to use a debate at Holyrood to urge the Scottish Government to rethink its plans to reform the governance of universities, labelling them ``academic vandalism''.
The Scottish Conservatives are to use a debate at Holyrood to urge the Scottish Government to rethink its plans to reform the governance of universities, labelling them academic vandalism''.
The Tories say measures included in the Higher Education Bill risk undermining the future success of the sector.
The proposed legislation includes a requirement for university chairs to be appointed in line with an agreed, consistent process, with ministers planning on using this to introduce elections for these positions.
The Bill, if passed, would also make sure staff, students and trade unions are all represented on university governing bodies, and would strengthen the current definition of academic freedom.
But there have been concerns about the impact of the changes on universities' autonomy.
There are also fears that universities could be reclassified as public sector bodies, jeopardising millions of pounds of investment, the Tories said.
The party's young people spokeswoman Liz Smith said: Seldom have I seen a whole sector united in its condemnation of one piece of Government legislation.
This Bill is nothing short of academic vandalism, most especially those sections which seek to give ministers more control over our universities and which would redefine these institutions as public sector bodies.
From the evidence sessions within both the finance and education committees to date, it is abundantly clear that the Scottish Government is struggling to defend the main clauses of the Bill.
It keeps telling us that it has no intention of increasing ministerial powers or reclassifying universities as public sector bodies, but that is exactly what the Bill would do and the SNP cannot provide evidence to prove otherwise.
It needs to think again and admit it has got this all wrong.''
Education Secretary Angela Constance insisted the Bill will create greater transparency and openness in higher education.
She said: This Bill will not advance ministerial control, affect universities' autonomy and presents no threat to their financial wellbeing.
Neither will it undermine the position of rector at our ancient institutions. We have been clear on that point since the outset.
It will ensure institutions are more inclusive, enabling every voice on campus to be heard - helping students and staff to be more involved in making decisions.''
She added: We would always seek to avoid any risk of re-classification of higher education institutions as public sector bodies by the Office for National Statistics - the Bill's provisions do not increase that risk.''
The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) has also restated its support for the Bill.
EIS general secretary Larry Flanagan said: The EIS believes that the HE Governance Bill will empower staff and students at governing body level and that it will encourage a more collegiate style of management at higher education Institutions, with greater power for academics at senates and on academic boards.''