University of Gloucestershire must reinstate elections for staff seats on governing body

Staff at the University of Gloucestershire have called for the institution to reverse a decision to scrap elections for staff seats on its governing body, says UNISON today (Thursday).

A new selection system for the body, known as the University Council, is being introduced that does away with a long-standing democratic process allowing university staff to elect their own colleagues, the union says.

UNISON and the University and College Union say removing the elected positions undermines university governance. The unions say no evidence has been provided to justify the change or show the current system is not working adequately.

In a consultation, more than nine in ten (91%) staff said they opposed the change. The unions say this reflects concerns that a diversity of views will no longer be represented on the Council.

The unions point to the recent Gillies Report into failures at the University of Dundee. That found suppression of dissenting voices, particularly by senior leadership, played a key role in the university’s difficulties.

UNISON University of Gloucestershire representative Dave Godsell said: “Scrapping elections for the staff seats on the University Council risks shutting out critical voices and concentrating power at the top.

“Elected staff bring transparency and scrutiny, which are vital for good governance. The University Council should reverse this decision immediately and restore the election process.”