News

The University of Otago is looking to abandon a 120-year-old tradition in which Otago Graduates are able to vote fellow alumni onto the University Council.

Established in 1891, the Court of Convocation has the sole purpose of electing three of its members from among the ranks of its 90,000-strong alumni to perform active roles on the University Council. However, the University Council has recommended a change to the process that will see Court of Convocation candidates elected by the Council rather than by alumni.

In what has been labelled an “attack on democracy,” the University has attributed the change to the decline in turnout experienced under the existing system, with the most recent election having a less than six per cent return. According to a University spokesperson, “the new system will ensure that graduates continue to be represented on the Council.”

When asked if the Court would continue to serve any purpose once the change has been implemented, the University said that by maintaining the Court of Convocation membership provisions, the process will still allow for members to nominate either themselves or another member when a Court of Convocation position is vacant. “It is hoped that the new system will encourage more members to put themselves forward for consideration and that a more diverse range of skills will be represented on Council.”

Former student rights activist and OUSA life member Mark Baxter suspects that the University’s proposed changes are related to soon-to-be announced Tertiary Council reforms by the Government. According to Baxter, the change undermines the views of stakeholders who ought to be free to choose their representation. “Without such accountability the University could in effect appoint whatever yes-men it likes to the seat,” Baxter said.

As to the upcoming government reforms to Tertiary Councils, Baxter suggested we will see representative stakeholders replaced by accountants and businessmen, a reform that Baxter claims the Government is “[dressing] up as ‘skill-based’ … accountants’ and businessmen’s views and advice are obviously needed, but they should not be the majority of people making decisions.”

When asked if the policy change was made in anticipation of pending reforms to Tertiary Council make-up, the University remarked that it was “too early to comment.”

The process of amending the Court of Convocation’s current function requires amending the 2011 Election of Members of the Council Statute, University Council approval and a recommendation to the Minister for Education. According to the University, “it is expected the new process will be in place late in 2014.”