UOW labelled 'poster child' for governance failures as Labor MP pushes for reform

Local university governance has come under fire, with the University of Wollongong being singled out as a prime example of failures in the sector.

A public forum in Wollongong on Monday night heard union, student, and community representatives call for action on the findings of a state parliamentary inquiry into the state's 10 public universities.

Inquiry Findings

The inquiry found the existing governance structure was "not fit for purpose" and that universities had swung too far towards corporatisation at the expense of education, research, and public service.

Vince Caughley, NSW secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), criticised the University of Wollongong, saying it was the "poster child" for the worst of these elements.

"Too much power concentrated in councils and senior management, not enough staff and student voice," he said.

"There's poor transparency, there's over-reliance on consultants, there's really weak accountability for major commercial decisions."

"Unfortunately … the University of Wollongong is the poster child for the worst of each of these elements."

Push for Reform

Labor MP Sarah Kaine, who chaired the inquiry, said she would pressure her own government to act on its recommendations.

"We have a unique opportunity as we head towards a state election, when politicians become especially sensitive to issues the public cares about," she said.

"These are not just whingeing academics in their ivory towers."

"We need to make the case that universities are public institutions that serve the public good, and we need to make that case politically."

Division of Responsibility

Australia Institute chief executive Richard Denniss told the forum that the division of responsibility between state and federal governments could have its drawbacks.

"Essentially the states [say] we don't care if the unis waste fed[eral] money," he said.

Dr Denniss also questioned claims of a financial crisis being used to justify restructures and job cuts across the sector while vice-chancellors and executives continued to receive large salaries.

"Universities were created by legislation, publicly funded and established to educate students, not to make millionaires out of management," he said.

UOW Campus Situation

UOW student Caitlin Veigel, who gave evidence to the inquiry, said the situation on campus was a "disaster", with cuts to staff and courses leaving some students unable to complete their degrees.

"Why would prospective students choose an institution they see as neglecting its staff and students?" Ms Veigel said.

Response from UOW

UOW provost Ana Deletic said the university would consider the inquiry's recommendations and follow the NSW government's response, while continuing a governance review that has already revamped its conflict-of-interest procedure.

In a statement, the NSW Minister for Tertiary Education, Steve Whan, said the government would consider the findings and recommendations, and respond to the report in due course.