University Governance Arthur Mettinger (University of Vienna)Vice Rector Educational Program Development & Internationalization

Vienna, 29.5.2008

University GovernanceAutonomy – Developmental Planning - Accountability

Vienna, 29.5.2008

The Road to Autonomy I

• for 150 years: since mid 19th century influence of Humboldtiantradition on Austrian HE; dualism political –academic authority characterizes university governance

»university was a state agency, subject to centralized decision making concerning aspects of public interests» academic oligarchy responsible for matters of teaching & research; internally loosely organized; decisions taken by small group of full professors (“Ordinarienuniversität”)

• 1975: reform of governance and internal organizationwith the University Organization Act 1975: “democratization” of universities; introduction of larger organizational units (institutes)

Vienna, 29.5.2008

The Road to Autonomy II

• Since 1993: Adoption of University Organization Act 1993: a first step into real institutional autonomy but:

» University still formed part of the State Federal administration governing all university affairs (budget, personnel, etc.) » University enjoyed only limited autonomy; Faculties and Institutes had a certain limited autonomy vis-à-vis the university

• Since 2004: Due to the University Act 2002 the university is a legal entity of its own, distinct from the State. The university enjoys full legal personality and is responsible for its own affairs, the State only oversees the proper application of the laws by the university

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Internal Organization: Organization Chart

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Only external members4 members elected by the senate

4 members appointed by the federal government 1 member appointed by mutual agreement of the eight other members

Main Governing Bodies I: The University Board

• Election of the rector from the shortlist of three candidatesprepared by the Senate • Approval of the vice-rectors on the basis of nominations made by the rector• Approving the organization plan and the development plan• Approving the financial statements• Approving the draft performance agreement with the FederalMinistry

Vienna, 29.5.2008

Rector elected by University board from a 3 candidate shortlist proposed by the Senate

4 Vice Rectors (special portfolios) – proposed by Rector,opinion from Senate, elected by University board

Main duties of the Rector

• Spokesperson of the Rectorate

• Negotiate performance agreement with respective federal minister

• Professorial appointments

• Head the university office

• Human resources development

Main duties of the Rectorate

• Manage and represent university

• Prepare a draft statute for submission to the Senate, a draft organization plan and a development plan

• Award authorizations to teaching

• Conduct and manage the financial affairs of the University

Main Governing Bodies II: Rector and Rectorate

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Highest academic body - internal members only10 professors, 2 associate professors/academic staff5 students, 1 representative of the general university staff

Main Governing Bodies III: The Senate

• Comment on the draft organization plan and the development plan

• Approve the curricula for degree programs and continuing education programs

• Change and approve the academic statute

• Participate in the habilitation procedure

• Change the size of the University Board and elect one part of its’members

• Decide in study matters (second instance)

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Internal Organization I:

Studienpräses• Supreme (executive) organ for all legal regulations concerning educational programs• Awarding all degrees on behalf of the University

Faculties and Centers • Heads: 15 Deans and 3 Heads of the Centre•Tasks: research (and teaching)• Faculties and centers can be divided into sub-units (e.g. institutes, departments)• Advisory boards:

» Faculty conferences (min. nine people)» Scientific advisory boards (external academics)

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Internal Organization II:

Directors of the Studies Programs• 35 directors of the studies programs (from Catholic theology to sports sciences)

• Duties in the fields of study law and organizational mattersrelated to studies• Quality assurance (together with special unit for QA)• responsible for several (related) courses of study, organize the courses and supervise issues arising from the university law andthe organization of courses; act as the interface between students, teachers, and the university administration•Advisory board:

» Studies conferences (50% teachers, 50% students)

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Strategic development I

• As a result of the new statutory framework, the university now has an opportunity to shape its own future.

• Here the Development Plan serves as the central strategic instrument

• It’s preparation involves the three main governing bodies of the university: drafting by Rectorate, approval by University Board and Senate

• In the course of developmental planning central questionshave to be answered:

» How should the curricula be further developed?» What objectives is the University of Vienna pursuing in

the field of research? » In what subjects are professorships announced?

• The development plan “University of Vienna 2012” gives a picture of the development of the university as a whole up to the year 2012 and beyond

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Main goals of the Development Plan

• Developing from a provider of lectures and courses to a provider of competences, offering attractive study programs• Positioning the university in the circle of the best researchuniversities in Europe• Further development of studies in accordance with the European architecture (Bachelor, Master, PhD)• Strengthening the university’s importance as an internationally attractive centre for young scientists• Strengthening the administrative performance• Applying quality criteria that conform to international standards

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Strategic Development II: Target Agreements

• On the basis of the development plan, the rectorate concludes annual target agreements with the heads of faculties and centers• These target agreements include:

» the goals concerning research and teaching that should be reached by the members of the respective organizational unit » the resources that will be provided to reach these goals by the heads of these units

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Accountability I: Performance Agreement

• Performance agreements are contracts under public law concluded between the university and the Federal Government for a period of three years. They contain:• services to be provided by the university covering:

» strategic objectives, human resources development » research and teaching» social goals» increase of internationality and mobility» inter-university cooperation

• allocation of the basic budget (80 % of the university’s budget)• content extent and scope of objectives plus timetable• reporting and accounting

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Accountability II: Instruments of Reporting

• Based on the performance agreement the university annually submits a performance report to the respective Federal Minister• Additionally to this performance report the rectorate annually has to submit financial statements and together with an auditor‘s report

• Annually the intellectual capital report (knowledge survey) is submitted to the Federal Minister via the University Board. It should contain in itemized form:

» the sphere of action, social goals and self-imposed objectives and strategies»its intellectual capital, broken down into human, structural and relationship capital»the performance processes set out in the performance agreement, including their outputs and impacts

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Thank you for your attention!