Polytechnic Governance

The Government yesterday announced some pretty significant changes to the governance of polytechnics:

Currently, Councils can have up to 20 members, but the Bill proposes that this be reduced to eight, to include four Ministerial appointees, the Chief Executive, one student representative, one member nominated by the Academic Board and one member appointed by the Council.

20 members is far too many for a governance board. It is no wonder there have been so many financial management issues (many polytechs have needed bailing out). Generally a board becomes less effective once it hits double figures.

University Councils are a bit different. With their role in academic freedom, it would not be sensible to reduce Councils to just eight members. And the reality is that University Councils actually play little role in actual governance. They tend to be just a rubber stamp for management.