Hopkinson-Fr-AM

HUMANE 10th Anniversary Conference : 

HUMANE 10th Anniversary Conference Institutional governance: the UK experience Jane Hopkinson University Secretary University of Plymouth

UK Context : 

UK Context Historical background Legally independent corporate institutions Independent governing bodies Corporate governance issues: Lambert Review 2003 Committee of University Chairmen: Guide for Members of HE Governing Bodies and Governance Code of Practice 2004

Governance Code of Practice : 

Governance Code of Practice “Every university shall be headed by an effective governing body which is unambiguously and collectively responsible for overseeing the institution’s activities, determining its future direction and fostering an environment in which the institutional mission is achieved and the potential of all learners is maximised”

Governance Code of Practice: Statement of Primary Responsibilities : 

Governance Code of Practice: Statement of Primary Responsibilities Approving - mission and strategic direction - long term business plans - key performance indicators (KPIs) - annual budgets Appointing a Vice Chancellor (chief executive) Monitoring - systems of control and accountability including financial controls and risk assessment - institutional performance against plans and KPIs (benchmarking where appropriate)

Membership of governing body : 

Membership of governing body Maximum 25 members; majority of independent external members All members to act - in accordance with accepted standards of behaviour in public life - in the interests of the university, not as representatives of any constituency Job description for Chair of Board Written descriptions of role and skills desired for new members; vacancies published widely Induction for new governors Openness and transparency in governing body proceedings

Published Effectiveness and Performance Reviews : 

Published Effectiveness and Performance Reviews Formal, rigorous reviews of governing body effectiveness Parallel review of senate/academic board Review of institutional performance against KPIs CUC Report on the Monitoring of Institutional Performance and the Use of Key Performance Indicators 2006

Key Performance Indicators : 

Key Performance Indicators KPIs should be critical to institutional success strategic and high level focused on strategic activity and risk High level KPIs focused on Institutional sustainability Academic profile and market position

Challenge questions : 

Challenge questions Does the mission make academic and business sense Are we attracting and retaining the right staff and students What are our strategies for managing threats to our viability and adapting to change What are our distinctive features and the factors we need to manage to maintain our position What will the institutional vision look like in 5 and 10 years and are we doing enough to deliver that vision

Outstanding issues : 

Outstanding issues Identification of KPIs Relationship to existing indicators (league tables, Research Assessment Exercise, National Student Survey, Quality Assurance Agency) Relationship to corporate strategy Presentation to governing body A work in progress….