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Universities in Crisis

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION
Conduct of the inquiry
Object of the inquiry
Issues arising during the course of the inquiry
Main themes
Main conclusions

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES AT A TIME OF CHANGE
The ‘traditional’ role of public universities
Commercialisation and the traditional role of universities
Universities and the 'traditional liberal education'
The diversity of Australia's higher education needs
Universities' social and community responsibilities
A vision for the future

THE FUNDING OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Background
The role of Commonwealth funding
Funding framework
Changes to funding arrangements with the Higher Education Budget of 1996
Effect of the 1996 Budget changes
Increased reliance on private funding
Sources of private funding
Issues associated with the current funding model and arrangements
Future directions for funding and management of the sector

GOVERNANCE AND REGULATION OF UNIVERSITIES
The enterprise university
Academy to corporation
Governance and external accountability
University governing bodies and accountability
Internal accountability
The anomalous position of the states in higher education
Managers versus academics
Autonomy within a funding straitjacket
Governance and the handling of disputes
A universities ombudsman
An independent advisory body

QUALITY AND DIVERSITY OF TEACHING
Curriculum changes and subject choice
Declining standards?
Soft marking
Pressure on education resources
Campus conditions and the quality of the learning experience
Staff-student ratios
On-line learning
Quality assurance

THE FUNDING AND MANAGEMENT OF RESEARCH
The role of research
Policy framework and directions
Funding and management framework
Key principles
Capturing the benefits of research
Conclusion

THE COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS OF UNIVERSITIES
Overview of universities’ commercial operations
Use of public assets for commercial operations
Public liability risks
Due diligence and transparency
Legal liability related to commercial operations
Reputation risks
Privatisation of public assets
Competitive neutrality (National Competition Policy)
The taxation status of universities’ commercial operations
Competition between public universities and the private educational arms of universities
Universities’ franchise operations
Consulting arrangements
Commercialisation of research – financial and probity issues
Accountability and regulatory requirements

PARTICIPATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Introduction
Recent trends in participation
Eligibility issues
Demand versus availability
Labour market issues
Economic issues
Higher Education Contribution Scheme
Income support
Academic support
Participation in higher degree courses

STAFFING OF PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES
Current staffing levels
General comments on current working conditions
Recruitment and retention of staff
Management pressures
Academic freedom
Academic salaries
Impact of enterprise bargaining
Casualisation of the workforce
The teaching and research nexus
Equity issues
The brain drain

UNIVERSITIES’ CONTRIBUTION TO REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND EXPORTS
Capacity of universities to contribute to economic growth in communities and regions
The way forward
Higher Education As an Export Industry

LIST OF SUBMISSIONS

WITNESSES WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE AT THE PUBLIC HEARINGS

DOCUMENTS TABLED IN PUBLIC HEARINGS

LEAKED CABINET SUBMISSION PROPOSALS FOR REFORM IN HIGHER EDUCATION

UNIVERSITIES IN CRISIS - CORRESPONDENCE AND MEMOS

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