Government should reject draft university governance code, says union

The union called on the cabinet secretary to throw the code out and fully implement the review of university governance led by Professor Ferdinand Von Prondzynski. More on that review can be found at our campaign page.

The union said all the talk of increased transparency and openness meant little when the code failed to deliver specific details of the roles for staff and student representatives. The union said it looked like a code 'written by managers for managers' and criticised the lack of consultation with staff and students when the code was being drawn up.

The union dismissed claims that the code will transform accountability and transparency - pointing out that staff and students already sit on governing bodies. There is no mention in the code of places for trade union representatives, even though some universities have places for non-academic trade union representatives. 

UCU Scotland president, Gordon Watson, said: 'This is a code written by managers for managers, which is perhaps unsurprising considering the lack of staff and student involvement in the steering group and code development.

'We call on the Cabinet Secretary to reject the code and instead implement the proposals of the Higher Education Governance Review led by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski. Further the Education and Culture Committee should not include the code in the Post-16 Bill."

'Despite claims of improved transparency and greater openness, the code simply re-states principles that already apply and there is little in this report that is new or progressive. One of the main recommendations, for example, is that minutes should be published, but this is already a requirement - even though institutions sometimes take months to comply with this simple rule.'

The governance code has been produced by a steering group appointed by the chairs of court and is to be included in legislation as part of the Post-16 Bill.