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Governance models and practices in Italian Universities. Certosa di Pontignano April 2, 2009 Angelo Riccaboni and Cristina Galgani Siena University. Outline. Aims and objectives Motivation and methodology Findings Discussion Final remarks. 2. 1. Aims and objectives.
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Governance models and practices in Italian Universities Certosa di Pontignano April 2, 2009 Angelo Riccaboni and Cristina Galgani Siena University
Outline • Aims and objectives • Motivation and methodology • Findings • Discussion • Final remarks 2
1. Aims and objectives • Wide debate on changes in the way university are governed • Analysis of 27 Italian universities and recent reform proposals • Focus on Rector, Board of Administrators and Senate, in terms of functions and structure 3
2. Motivation of the study Criticisms of the way Italian universities are governed Higher expectations from stakeholders Need for greater efficiency Low degree of responsibility Need for more merit recognition 4
2. Methodology Analysis of 27 Bylaws and recent reform proposals a. 2008-2009 Censis-La Repubblica ranking 5
b. Reform proposals (RP) “Linee guida del Governo”, 6-11-2008 Guidelines Document by Crui - Association of Italian Rectors -“Considerazioni e proposte per la revisione della governance delle università”, 19-2-2009, with 3 alternatives CRUI Law proposal, 2-2009, n. 1387/2009 LP 1387 Document by the Ministry of Education MIUR, “Autonomia e responsabilità degli atenei: governance, valutazione, reclutamento”, 24-3-2009 MIUR 7
3. Findings 27/27 universities changes on governance issues in 2001-2009 • 3.1 FUNCTIONS OF UNIVERSITY BODIES • Trento (2008) and Camerino (2009): the Board -> both areas • Reform proposals • The Board: Central role in strategic planning (Guidelines, MIUR e CRUI 1) • The Senate -> needs of research and teaching (also Camerino 2009) 8
3.2 DIMENSION AND MEMBERSHIPThe Senate: Bylaws and RP large dimension Students always included; usually the personnel • Only Tuscia, Camerino and Venezia small Boards • All Reform Proposals small Boards
More numerous in Torino, 2008 (8/15) and Venezia, 2001 (6/9) More than 1 external representing entities other than public administration: Venezia, Torino, Tuscia (2/7) and Camerino (3/10) RP: strong presence of externals: MIUR: over 50%, CRUI over 40%, LP 1387 4/9 3.3 EXTERNAL MEMBERS 10
Bylaws -> Board members elected. Exceptions: Venezia (2001) and Tuscia (2009) appointed by the Senate CRUI and LP 1387 Board members appointed 3.4 ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT OF BOARD MEMBERS
3.5 THE RECTOR Represents the university 20/27 Bylaws, Guidelines, LP 1387 and CRUI limit to the number of terms Camerino (2009) one-term election RP: role of the Rector in the implementation of strategies (MIUR and LP 1387) Bylaws election by Professors, Researchers (with some exceptions), students (with one exception), and personnel (with one exception) CRUI: hypothesis of a Chairman of the Board different from the Rector only Trento 12
3.6 NEW BODIES • A body to promote relationships with the economic and social environment MIUR, Tuscia (2009), Padova (2008) and Camerino (2009) • 3.7 ORGANISATIONAL ISSUES • Guidelines, MIUR and LP 1387 integration among structures dealing with research and teaching -> Camerino (2009) • MIUR and LP 1387 appointment of a General Director 13
To summarise • Until 2008 Common features • Strong similarities in terms of formal functions and structure • Separation but Bicameralismo Rector: • Often long terms -> Too much power • Unable to implement desired strategies -> Too little power But also clear differences No unique model
From Engwall’s presentation State Market France USA Germany Scandinavia The Netherlands UK Italy Profession
b. Emerging trends from reform proposals and 2008-2009 changes in Bylaws • Board central role in the strategic planning process Guidelines, MIUR, CRUI, Camerino, Trento • Board: Fewer members, many externals • RP, Camerino, Tuscia + Venezia (2001) • The Senate less central inside the planning process • It represents the needs of research and teaching • RP, Camerino, Trento • However, it appoints the Board (Guidelines, CRUI, MIUR) • Integration among research and teaching structures • RP, Camerino + Pisa Project (2009) 16
More important and explicit role given to evaluation CRUI, MIUR, Padova, Firenze, Tuscia, Camerino The Rector power for strategy implementation MIUR and LP 1387 More relevance given to external stakeholders -> ad hoc body MIUR, Camerino, Tuscia and Padova Major changes predicted in organisational features Integration of Research and Teaching structures RP, Camerino Introduction of a new position: General Director MIUR and LP 1387
4. Discussion • 2008-2009 Bylaws and Reform Proposals • Stronger Rectors and Boards • Externals in the Board • Weaker Senate • Stronger administration • Integration of research and teaching structures • A turning point? • Is a new governance “model” for Italian universities emerging? • “International model” based on Market solutions? 18
From Engwall’s presentationImplications State Market France USA Germany Scandinavia The Netherlands UK Italy Profession
Pros Interesting solutions How to achieve more accountability without market biases? Institutional innovation hard managerialism • Professional participation by academics better qualified • More accountability through changes in governance processes
Concerns • A unique international model does not exist • Traditional features of Italian universities • Faith in externals • Strong differences among universities • Need for autonomy • Tuscia and Camerino 2009 • Similar innovations • Differences
5. Final remarks Analysis of 27 Bylaws and Reform proposals 2008-2009: A turning point? A new “model” is emerging? Room for autonomy is needed The debate ought to be based on an analysis of practices 22