University governance

Former head of music school says decision not to revisit his complaints shows system ‘worse than useless’

Cost-benefit analysis ‘broadly supportive’ of amalgamation of up to three Perth universities

Higher education not the only sector facing a crisis of faith, with lack of confidence most pronounced among non-graduates

‘Focused interim action’ required on a sector that politicians say is ‘sacrificing fundamental social benefits in the pursuit of corporate outcomes’

Increased federal funding and student demand fuel a boost to most institutions’ bottom lines in Sunshine State

Australian parliament urged not to pass independent senator’s legislation because Remuneration Tribunal is already addressing pay of university leaders

Leaders more qualified now than decade ago, with many boasting international experience, study finds

Rocked by population decline, institutions join forces to try to achieve government aim of boosting regional campuses

Decision to remove student representative quashed after she accepts need for collective responsibility

Institution faces growing backlash following media reports about allegations of bullying and harassment

Representative groups hope their ‘robust practical’ proposals will ensure that intent to fix a ‘broken governance system’ does not end up in ‘the long grass’

Requirements around racism, disability and transparency among new proposed benchmarks for retaining registration

Outgoing president of ambitious Japanese institution discusses building research capacity, dealing with staff discontent and moving on from reliance on public funding

Regulator finds university failed to ‘exercise proper control’ of one of its external assessment centres

Resignation follows series of scandals involving academics at the leading institution

Stella Maris axed from Scottish university governing body again over claims she failed to follow governance rules

Lack of financial expertise at board level nearly toppled famed drama school, says leader who picked up the pieces

Senator warns universities have ‘few levers’ to pull when things go badly – citing ‘havoc’ at the Australian National University under former vice-chancellor

Facing a £12 million deficit and a beloved but underutilised rural campus, former barrister who led murder cases says she took lessons from legal career when attempting to modernise an institution with Victorian-age origins

Funding must be part of the conversation, crossbench senators warn, as final report of Australian governance inquiry published

Efforts to ensure student voices are heard on university boards often ‘tokenistic’, with ‘invisible barriers’ placed on participation

Regulator announces it is probing governance arrangements at under-pressure institution

New ‘ethical code’ attempts to address criticism that university governance is ‘dominated by cliques’

Serial reviewer and interim higher education steward to head governing body of sunshine state’s sandstone university

Rules need tweaking to rein in high salaries that have become ‘emblematic’ of Australian universities’ social licence problems, George Williams argues

Representatives of chancellors, staff and students in Victoria eye doubling of elected places in rare ‘meeting of minds’

Even though minor downswing could be no more than ‘statistical noise’, governance inquisitor chides sector for ‘stunning’ lack of curiosity

Hands-off councils said to have contributed to ‘governance crisis’ that Australian sector ‘needed and in many respects deserved’

Federal government must ‘take proper responsibility’ for a university sector ‘which in practice it controls’, MPs told

Institution’s provost also gains access to on-campus residence after stepping up to replace former leader who left amid funding crisis

Research into impact of Norwegian reforms that saw several institutions join together indicates changes had little impact on perceptions of quality

Parliamentary probe will focus on staff and student representation on university councils

New principles that would require universities to publish executive salaries and conduct v-c performance reviews ‘should be mandatory’

Former politician not for turning, amid denunciation of culture, oversight and spending at national university

Institutional autonomy ‘not threatened’ by proposal to more than halve executive pay, academics say, as universities insist councils should maintain control

Senate committee recommends major transparency and accountability changes to Australian universities’ governing bodies

Political campaign against ‘damaging’ v-c highlights tension between obligations to constituents and respect for institutional autonomy

Australian employer association says ‘system complexity’, not governance or deliberate dishonesty, is ‘root cause’ of widespread underpayments

Culture crucial to effectiveness of university boards, but growing responsibilities of voluntary governors may exclude some, Advance HE report warns

Chancellor insists she acted with ‘respect, courtesy and civility’, amid claims of intimidation and bullying 

Peer who served as culture minister defeats broadcaster Sandi Toksvig and former BP chief executive John Browne

Search warrants executed at seven properties in north-west and south of England, two months after suspension of vice-chancellor George Holmes

Legally compliant councils and functioning audit committees don’t entail social justice, intellectual dynamism or civic relevance, says Fulufhelo Nemavhola

One in five UK university leaders exploring mergers as sector fears ‘contagion’ effect of institutional failure

Union says Monash should now ‘pay staff what they’re owed’ as judge resolves ‘ambiguity’ over ‘contemporaneous’ meetings

Getting the student profile right is a tricky business, university admits, after international student numbers rise high above 40 per cent target

Even in the University of London’s formal federation, differing ‘coalitions of the willing’ are formed in different operational areas, says David Latchman

JRG and international education top vice-chancellor’s to-do list, as Atec originators riff on ‘harmonisation’

Market logic has converted universities from publicly oriented educators of citizens to workforce training institutions serving economic interests, says Graeme Turner

Former director general in the Department for Education joins university that also runs schools and colleges

In recent decades, the post has been seen as purely ceremonial. But there is precedent and justification for a more interventionist role, says Wyn Evans 

Excess work hours ‘consistently’ correlate with ‘moderate to severe’ anxiety and depression, Australian survey finds

Head of mission group warns research-intensive universities are “not immune” to financial pressures as he announces departure

Departing membership body chief executive believes universities are in a more perilous situation than ever as they face increasing scrutiny from politicians and public

The tasks that can be automated or augmented are some of those that university staff undertake day in and day out, says Alexander Iosad

Dawn Freshwater says universities must reclaim social licence to operate to help push for more sustainable planet

It may be difficult to enter on to a balance sheet but some weaker institutions may struggle to recover from reputational damage, says Nick Megoran

Australian employee representatives say universities are too ready to surveil workers, while higher education regulator suggests additional methods

Politicised appointment processes threaten to leave key university positions in red states only open to ‘ideologues’

Buckinghamshire New University ends partnership ties with three institutions as it attempts to ‘remove its reliance’ on subcontracting