Losing two Principals of the University in five years and facing two threatened bankruptcies in the same space of time calls into question the capability of management and governance structures of the University of Dundee. The move from elected to appointed management structures has led to a singularly narrow view of its strategy and direction. Universities should be places of debate and contestation of ideas. Instead, we have a toxic top-down view that has seen the hollowing out of the governance structures of Court and Senate, which have become mere rubber-stamping bodies. The fact that, at such a crucial time, Prof Iain Gillespie could not join the latest Principal’s Question Time meeting speaks volumes in this respect.

The current governance model has failed.  The lack of student and staff engagement in the decision-making process must be addressed.  A new structure of democratic management and governance is required, which puts staff and student participation central to financial transparency and the accountability of senior management.  A cultural change is needed which empowers staff and students and facilitates staff and student initiatives for income generation and cost control.

To read more about this proposal and the context for the current crisis of management at the University of Dundee, see DUCU’s Position Paper.