Consultation on University Governance March 2015

The issue The Education Amendment Bill #2 passed its third reading in the House on 10 February Despite overwhelming opposition, it passed largely unchanged The key provisions with regard to university governance therefore remain: o No more than 12 members o Four members appointed by the Minister o At least one member must be Māori (method of appointment not specified) The new arrangements are to come into effect no later than 1 July 2016 (previously 1 January 2016)

The question What is the most appropriate composition of Council consistent with the provisions of the new legislation?

Proposed guiding principles In its submission to the Select Committee, the University of Auckland Council proposed some guiding principles for composition of Councils, based on provisions in the Education Act

Proposed guiding principles 1.At least one member of the council should be Māori, consistent with s.181 (c) of the Education Act 1989 which states, “It is the duty of the council of an institution, in the performance of its functions and the exercise of its powers,— (b) to acknowledge the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi”

Proposed guiding principles 2.All groups who are legally members of the university should have legally mandated involvement in its governance (along with the Crown and Māori). Section 163 (1) of the Education Act 1989 specifies that the “[university] shall consist of its governing body, the chief executive, the teaching staff, general staff, the graduates and students, and such other people as the governing body may from time to time determine”

Proposed guiding principles 3.Membership should provide sufficient flexibility that co-option can be used to meet any capability gaps on the governing body.

Based on these principles, Council proposed: Category Proposed by Council Ministerial3 Students1 Academic staff1 General (professional) staff1 Alumni1 CEO/Vice-Chancellor1 Co-opted4 TOTAL (1 or more Māori)12

Compared with the requirements of the Act: CategoryCurrent Proposed by Council Mandated by the Act Ministerial434 Students21 Academic staff41 General (professional) staff 11 Alumni31 CEO/Vice-Chancellor11 Co-opted34 TOTAL (1 or more Māori)1812

Consultation process Campus presentations early March “Hot Topics” discussion 19 March Advice of Senate sought 23 March Submissions close Friday 1 May Council will consider those submissions at its 22 June meeting Submissions may be sent to:

Discussion Category Proposed by Council Mandated by the Act Ministerial34 Students1 Academic staff1 General (professional) staff1 Alumni1 CEO/Vice-Chancellor1 Co-opted4 TOTAL (1 or more Māori)12