Meeting of the Parliament 14 January 2016
Perhaps I will if there is time later, Mr Brodie. I am keen to make more progress.
In summary, we will require HEIs to advertise those positions. Interested applicants will be selected for an interview on the basis of their ability to carry out the duties that are associated with leading a modern Scottish HEI. If successful at an interview process that is managed by a nomination committee, which will feature staff and student representatives, candidates would then participate in an election, in which all staff and students in an institution would be able to vote.
I can confirm that plans for elected chairs, who will be the senior lay members of all governing bodies and are often called senior governors or vice conveners at present, will result in no alteration of the statutory underpinning of existing rectors in our ancient universities. As is the case now, the way in which rectors dovetail with the new elected senior governors will be a matter for each autonomous institution.
We plan to lodge an amendment concerning the remuneration of chairs, which will alter section 2 to provide only that HEIs must offer reasonable remuneration to an elected chair in connection with carrying out that role, on request by the chair. On balance, I do not consider that retention of a power for ministers to set levels of remuneration or to delegate that role to other persons is necessary.
Having scrutinised all the evidence provided by the committee and stakeholders on the composition of governing bodies, I intend to lodge an amendment to remove the obligation for HEIs to have two alumni on each governing body. That will assist institutions to accommodate staff, students and trade union members more easily on bodies on which the maximum number of members is set at 25 in the Scottish code of good higher education governance.
I am minded to lodge an amendment to remove section 9, which will mean that HEIs need not be obliged to limit the number on their academic boards or senates to 120. To ensure that institutions with larger academic boards have a fair representation of students, without being obliged to ensure that 10 per cent of the body comprises elected students, the Scottish Government favours a ceiling of 30 elected student members.
We have taken careful note of all the evidence that has been presented on academic freedom. In light of that, we are considering the final form of the relevant provisions. I have been struck by the importance of ensuring that academic freedom cannot be cited as a cover for any views that are offensive or, indeed, criminal.
All those potential amendments have been influenced by dialogue with stakeholders. Although stakeholders will be familiar with them, not all will support each proposed amendment. However, I am confident that broad support for a number of them will be evident.
In drawing to a close, I emphasise three key points. The Scottish Government values on equal terms Scotland’s higher education institutions, the staff who work in them and the students who attend them. I believe that this modest and focused bill can enable more modern, transparent and inclusive governance practice. I have been listening and I will continue to do so. I want to work with our universities in partnership in the years ahead.
I move,
That the Parliament agrees to the general principles of the Higher Education Governance (Scotland) Bill.