VIEWPOINT
On academic independence
SHELLEY WALIA
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A comment on the debate now raging in Oxford University.
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Age-old traditions: Christ Church College in Oxford.
THE university should not be run like a corporation. A governing body with seven insiders and seven independent members with the Vice Chancellor as the 15th member seemingly looks fair, but the academic community at Oxford is livid at this outside interference.
Teacher's integrity
I was at Oxford and I understand the anger well. Universities around the world have outside representation on University bodies, which it is argued by a number of Oxford dons, adversely affects the academic environment. With no experience of what is going on in the academic world outsiders/non-academics cannot be allowed to sit on decision-making bodies. Let the insiders manage their affairs themselves. It is high time that people begin to believe in the integrity of a teacher and his capabilities of handling the university affairs.
My support is for those who are standing up against the new proposal for I do not endorse a decision that will only lead to dismantling the age-old traditions and the independence of the teaching community. The debate, which has been going on for two years about the control of Oxford University, reached a crucial and significant stage when the members of Congregation, the university's parliament, voted on a proposal to have a Council of 15 members instead of the 25 which includes four independent. As very few attended the meeting at the Sheldonian Theatre, the verdict will take a few more days after the absent members are asked to send in their ballots through post. Until then, the debate rages and the Oxford diehards keep their fingers crossed before the governance reform process comes to a conclusion. It is regrettable that the university is split into two opposed and vociferous groups. The debate in the house was undoubtedly full of rhetoric, which influenced the ill-informed to vote one way or the other. Here lies the danger of the voter coming unprepared with his homework not complete. Balanced responsible debate is a way out for implementing any change, though all would not agree on the best way. In a changing world, the university has to decide what are the most suitable and beneficial changes needed for furthering excellence in learning and research. Intervention by external bodies as well as scrutiny of the teacher's work pressurizing him to publish are often resented, though essential for the impetus to quality research. But surely the academic life of a university cannot be hijacked by independent members on governing bodies who have the narrow specialisation of an oyster lacking the comprehensive many-sidedness of an academic.
Avoidable predicament
A majority of external members to the Council will certainly disrupt the academic calm of the university. It is only out of a situation of panic at a financial crisis in the university last year that these reforms were initiated. There was really no need. The self-imposed predicament of voting was altogether avoidable. And now if the idea of a new Council does triumph, the fear at the heart of the crisis is that the powers of the Congregation and the academic will be irrevocable reduced. This will be the beginning of the end of academic freedom and the first step towards turning universities into entrepreneurial players.
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