Benefits and Challenges of University Autonomy: The Centro Escolar University Experience Maria...

Benefits and Challenges of University Autonomy:

The Centro Escolar University Experience

Maria Flordeliza L. Anastacio, Ph.D.Dean, School of Accountancy and Management

National President, Philippine Society for Educational Research and EvaluationImmediate Past President, Philippine Council of Deans and Educators in Business

Introduction

“The contemporary university, like the communities in which it is embedded, is in the midst of massive change. Such change is propelled forward by two central trends. These are the acceleration in the pace of change itself, and the globalization of the economy and of technology.”

-UNESCO World Conference 1998

The UNESCO conference emphasized that:

•Academic freedom and University Autonomy are not privileges

•University Autonomy and Academic Freedom are basic and inalienable conditions.

•Autonomy affirms the university as an institution of scholarship and learning

•Autonomy enables the university to freely assume and optimally fulfill its responsibilities to society.

How does one define Autonomy?

•Freedom and authority in academic matters.

• The right to decide what to teach, how to teach, and whom to teach.

•The privilege to enjoy framing its courses of studies, designing its assessment methods and its principles and policies of admission.

•A basic feature of higher education.

Response of HEIs in the Philippines

1. The Commission on Higher Education issued CHED Memorandum Order No. 32 in 2001 promulgating the guidelines to implement the grant of autonomy and deregulated status to selected private higher education institutions (PHEIs) in the Philippines.

2. CHED recognized the enormous contribution of PHEIs in the growth and prominence of tertiary education in the country and in the Asia-Pacific through the HEI’s commitment to promote quality education, research and extension work.

3. CHED issued the general criteria for selection and identification of PHEIs to be granted autonomy:

• Established as Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development.

• Level III Accreditation

• Outstanding overall performance of graduates in the licensure examination, and

• Long tradition of integrity and untarnished reputation.

Rationale of the Study

The Centro Escolar University is one of the first Universities in the Philippines to be included in the roster of Philippine Universities given Autonomous Status by the Commission in Higher Education in 2001.

After eight (8) years from the time the University Autonomous status was granted, the researcher deem it timely to assess how the members of the management council, faculty and staff perceive the changes made in the University.

Significance of the Study

1. Findings will be beneficial to management and the academic community to be able to:

• Review the extent of realization of benefits granted by the CHED,

• Maximize the benefits if these were not realized or implemented,

• Serve as an eye opener to those who are not keenly aware of the benefits of autonomous status,

• Serve as input for university planning and research.

2.The researcher-made instrument will serve as basis for the evaluation of the degree of realization of the benefits of autonomous status of other universities and colleges.

3.Promote the researcher’s professional growth as an educational leader in her University and in her leadership capacity as prime mover of quality education in several professional organizations like PSERE and PCDEB

Methods and Procedures

•The descriptive method was used. •A researcher-made questionnaire was the major data gathering instrument.

•Documentary analysis was used to synthesize and summarize the salient points.

•There were 100 questionnaires distributed, however, only 95 were retrieved.

•The respondents were composed of vice presidents, deans, assistant deans, department heads, program heads, division heads, assistants to the dean, faculty members, and non-teaching personnel of the University.

•The data gathered were statistically treated by the Evaluation and Data Processing Department of Centro Escolar University using the frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation as primary statistical tools.

Findings, Conclusions

and Recommendations

Table 1

Profile of the Respondents as to Positions Held

Positions Held f %Assistant Vice President 3 3.2Dean 7 7.4Assistant Dean/Associate Dean 4 4.2Department Head 18 18.9Program Head 2 2.1Division Head 4 4.2Assistant to the Dean 4 4.2Faculty 24 25.3Non-teaching Staff 29 30.5Total 95 100

Table 2

Profile of the Respondents as to Years of Service to the University

Years of Service f %

10 years and below 8 8.4

11-15 years 24 25.3

16-20 years 29 30.5

21-25 years 9 9.5

26-30 years 8 8.4

31-35 years 12 12.6

36-40 years 4 4.2

41 years and above 1 1.1

Total 95 100

Table 3

Profile of the Respondents as to Highest Educational Attainment

Highest Educational Attainment f %

Doctoral Degree 34 35.79

Master’s Degree 38 40

Bachelor’s Degree 23 24.21

Total 95 100

Table 4

Profile of the Respondents as to Age

Age f %

30 years old and below 1 1.1

31-40 31 32.7

41-45 22 23.2

46-50 10 10.5

51-55 13 13.7

56-60 14 14.7

61 and above 4 4.2

Total 95 100

Table 5

Degree of Realization of Benefits Granted by CHED as Perceived by the Respondents

Benefits granted by CHED to University enjoying autonomous status X

sdVerbal

Interpretation

1. Exemption from the issuance of special order

2.82 .41 To a High Extent

2. Free from monitoring and evaluation activities of the CHED


3. Entitlement of grant of subsidies and other financial incentives/assistance from the CHED, whenever funds are available.

2.42 .65 Moderate Extent

4. Privilege to determine and prescribe curricular programs to achieve global competence.


5. Privilege to offer new courses/programs in the undergraduate/graduate level without securing permit/authority from the CHED

2.90 .29 To a High extent

6. Privilege to establish branch/es or satellite campuses without the prior approval of the CHED


7.Privilege to offer extension classes and distance education courses/programs to expand access to higher education and to establish affiliation with recognized foreign higher education institutions in pursuit of international standards of education.


8. Authority to grant honoris causa to deserving individuals


Overall 2.72 .30 To a High Extent

Table 6 The degree of realization of other benefits of

university autonomy as to Philosophy and Objectives as perceived by the respondents

As to Philosophy and Objectives, University Autonomy:

sd

Verbal Interpretati

on

1. Resulted to clarity of vision of the University


2. Developed and sustained a long-term view on Social development and social responsibility


3. Helped in the realization of the objectives of the University and Schools/Colleges


4. Accelerated the pace of change in the University


5. Proved to be an education concept that brought about modernity and relevance without compromising values and traditions


6. Led the university to achieve a corporate image that is emulated by universities in the country


7. Advanced the quality of teaching and research in the university


8. Autonomy placed a considerable emphasis on the role of the university to anticipate change


9. Autonomy has given greater academic freedom to the CEU community


10. Autonomy made the university spiritually strong enough to be a key agent of change in the Philippine educational system



Table 7Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to

Curriculum and Instruction as Perceived by the Respondents As to Curriculum and Instruction, University

Autonomy:

sd

Verbal Interpretation

1. Led CEU to the promotion and development of an intellectual climate conducive to the pursuit of excellence


2. Brought CEU to the forefront of its potential to experiment and introduce innovations in the educational system


3. Provided a conducive environment in promoting and nurturing academic growth


4. Enabled the administration to evolve student-oriented teaching methodologies and strategies vis-à-vis the requirements of the program/courses


5. Provided the motivation to the faculty to be more creative in curriculum and instructional design


6. Resulted to more professional courses being offered in the university, both on the undergraduate and graduate levels


7. Improved the performance of graduates in the licensure examinations


8. Increased the number of topnotchers and placers in the licensure examinations


9. Improved the academic performance of students


10. Increased the employability of graduates 2.66 .54 To a High Extent

11. Gave recognition to the teaching of ethics, corporate citizenship and social responsibility


12. Provided a wider scope to update the curriculum to be responsive to industry and societal needs



Table 8

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Faculty and Staff as Perceived by the

Respondents

As to Faculty and Staff, University Autonomy:

sd


1. Made and faculty and staff more responsive and committed to the needs of the School/College


2. Resulted to an increase participation of faculty/staff in seminars and workshops


3. Led to the improvement of faculty/staff qualification


4. Provided more opportunities for the faculty to interact with their counterparts abroad

2.42 .61 To a Moderate

Extent

5. Brought greater professional satisfaction among the faculty and staff


6. Improved the self-confidence of the faculty and staff


7. Created /Brought pride to the faculty and staff


8. Resulted to active participation in academic decision making



Table 9

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Research as

Perceived by the Respondents

As to Research, University Autonomy:

sd


1. Increased the number of faculty doing research 2.41 .59 To a Moderate

Extent2. Increased the research output of faculty 2.43 .60 To a

Moderate Extent

3. Improved the standard of research in the university


4. Resulted to more faculty research paper presentations on a national level


Extent

5. Resulted to more faculty research paper presentation on an international level


Extent

6. Increased the number of research grants 2.28 .58 To a Moderate

Extent

7. Resulted to higher research utilization in the university


Extent

8. Brought the university nearer to its vision to be a research university


Extent

Overall 2.40 .50 To a Moderate

Extent

Table 10

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Organization and

Administration as Perceived by the Respondents As to Organization and Administration, University

Autonomy:

sd

Verbal Interpretatio

n

1. Provided an environment for transformation of the administration


2. Made the top administrators more responsive and committed to the needs of the schools and colleges


3. Made the deans and department heads more responsive and committed to the needs of the Schools/Colleges


4. Resulted to the responsiveness of administrative structures to the views of the faculty, staff and deans


5. Created self confidence and pride among the administrators, deans and department heads


6. Resulted to increased student enrollment 2.14 .59 To a Moderate Extent

7. Autonomy brought greater academic and administrative responsibility



As to Student Services and Student Development, University Autonomy:

sdVerbal Interpretation

1. Enabled the University to promote more responsive service and more relevant and healthy co-curricular and extra- curricular activities in campus


2. Brought greater satisfaction to students in the scheduling of activities 2.41 .61 To a Moderate Extent

3. Created more student leaders who are responsive to academic, social and economic realities


4. Increased self-confidence of students 2.53 .58 To a High Extent

5. Increased loyalty and pride among the students 2.57 .56 To a High Extent

6. Increased in academic health and academic freedom 2.46 .63 To a Moderate Extent

7.Resulted to participation in academic related decision making processes/activities


8. Increased freedom of mobility for students 2.41 .63 To a Moderate Extent


Table 11

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Student Services and Student

Development as Perceived by the Respondents

Table 12Summary of Overall Ratings on the Benefits of University

Autonomy

sd


Degree of Realization of Benefits Granted by CHED

.30 To a High Extent

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Philosophy and Objectives


Degree of Realization of Other benefits of University Autonomy as to Curriculum and Instruction


2.72

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Faculty and Staff


Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Research

2.40 .50 To a Moderate Extent

Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Organization and Administration


Degree of Realization of Other Benefits of University Autonomy as to Student Services and Student Development


Overall 2.64 To a High Extent

Challenges/Difficulties of University Autonomy

sd


1. University officials are always tapped in national assemblies and activities which interfere with their duties and responsibilities in the universities

1.95 .62 Sometimes

2. Absence of administrative autonomy on the part of the School/College Dean 1.71 .56 Sometimes

3. Lack of coordination between the University and the School and College 1.48 .56 Never

4. Lack of coordination between Schools/Colleges and the Departments 1.57 .58 Sometimes

5. Several offices created abnormal delay in approval of requests 1.74 .50 Sometimes

6. Several offices create abnormal delay in release of budgets 1.81 .53 Sometimes

7.Mobility of students is hindered 1.64 .56 Sometimes

Table 13

Frequency of Occurrence of Challenges and Difficulties of University Autonomy

8. Mobility of faculty and staff is hindered 1.62 .55 Sometimes

9. Mobility of the department head/dean is hindered 1.60 .55 Sometimes

10. Lack of physical space to hold the numerous activities of the School/College 1.76 .56 Sometimes

11. Schools/Colleges are not permitted to hold activities on their convenient time. 1.80 .60 Sometimes

12. Academic activities are sacrificed for participation in sports and extra-curricular activities

1.74 .63 Sometimes

13. Lack of well-trained personnel to implement programs. 1.68 .57 Sometimes

14.Faculty-student ratio does not promote satisfactory interaction between faculty and students

1.82 .55 Sometimes

15. Great deal of clerical work for the deans and heads 2.01 .57 Sometimes

16. Too much work for top and middle administrators 2.02 .59 Sometimes

17. Too much expectations from the deans/department heads 2.11 .57 Sometimes

18. Too many schools benchmarking with the University result to fear of intellectual property being put at stake

1.97 .58 Sometimes

Overall 1.78 .38 Sometimes

Conclusions

Based on the findings, the following conclusions are drawn: 1. Benefits granted to autonomous universities by the Commission on Higher Education were enjoyed by Centro Escolar University “to a high extent” except for the entitlement of grant of subsidies and other financial incentives/assistance.

2. University autonomy helped in the realization of objectives, resulted to clarity of vision of the university and made the university spiritually strong enough to be an agent of change in the Philippine society.

3. Autonomous status served as an engine of Centro Escolar University toward academic excellence.

4. Autonomy created self-confidence and pride to all constituents of the university as well as greater academic and administrative responsibilities.

5. University autonomy did not result to increased student enrollment.

6. There is coordination between the university and colleges/schools.

RecommendationsThe following recommendations are hereby endorsed:

1. There is a need to review and intensify the internationalization thrust of the university to give opportunities to the faculty to interact with their counterpart abroad.

2. There is a need to motivate the academic community to engage in research and pursue its vision to be a research university.

3. That coordination with the Commission on Higher Education be further intensified for possible assistance in academic development in terms of grants and incentives.

4. That further studies be conducted in the future to assess the benefits and challenges of university autonomy.

Benefits and Challenges of University Autonomy: The Centro Escolar University Experience Maria...

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