Unions at the University of Bath have responded to yesterday’s statement from senior management on Bath university governance reforms.
UNISON, UCU and Unite issued the following statement:
“The measures announced by University of Bath management to fend off growing anger over inequality and poor governance are largely worthless. The measures are: a review of the effectiveness of Council (the governing body); an end to the Vice-Chancellor’s membership of the remuneration committee (which sets her pay); the drafting of standing orders for Court (the university’s stakeholders’ body).
“The review of the effectiveness of the governing body is not a new initiative in response to the recent scandal. It has been scheduled to take place since 2011 and will be carried out by a single individual on the basis of information filtered through senior management. There will be no direct route for students and staff to raise concerns with this consultant and allow them to form a proper view of how the University of Bath is run.
“It is long past time that the Vice-Chancellor cease to sit on the committee which sets her pay. Up to now the Vice-Chancellor has left the room when their pay is set, but they return to discuss the pay of other senior managers. Under the new arrangements, the Vice-Chancellor will not be present to discuss their own pay, but will enter the room when the pay of senior managers is being set. In other words, there will be no substantial change to the Vice-Chancellor’s presence.
“Finally, it is quite shocking that we have had to wait for the fiftieth year of the university’s existence for standing orders (procedures for meetings) to be written for Court. Members of Court have requested an urgent meeting to discuss the issues of governance which have been raised. This request has been blocked by the governing Council.”
