► Future of the University of London

02/03 Policy

Valid AULUC 2008

 

FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

Proposed by: Mustafa Arif  [Imperial College]

Seconded by: Rob Park [Queen Mary University of London Postgraduate Students’ Officer], Charlotte Dawkins [ULU President]

 

THIS UNION NOTES

 

1.          That Imperial College has formally applied to the Privy Council for the power to award degrees under its own name.

2.          That Kings College and the LSE have announced that they were considering seeking to apply to the Privy Council for the power to award degrees under their own names.

3.          That other large Colleges have indicated they are prepared to go down a similar route.

4.          That no College has yet made a formal decision as to whether to use such powers, if they are granted.

5.          That several College Principals have, nevertheless, expressed aspirations for secession from the University.

6.          That the University has stated it does not object to Colleges holding “reserved” degree awarding powers, provided that they are not used.

7.          That Imperial College and UCL have recently abandoned merger talks.

8.          That government ministers have indicated support for consolidation of the university sector, particularly in London.

9.          That the ULU Sabbatical Officers have been mandated to campaign for the retention of the University in its current form.

 

THIS UNION BELIEVES

 

1.          That merger talks between IC and UCL, although having collapsed, have had a destabilising effect on the federal University.

2.          That “reserved” degree awarding powers held by one or more Colleges would create uncertainty in the future of the University.

3.          That this is an opportune time to review the functions and purpose of the University.

 

THIS UNION FURTHER BELIEVES

 

1.       That ULU should have a policy on the future of the University that reflects the views, education needs and welfare requirements of its members, not simply on a resistance to change.

2.       That many UL students, in particular those attending the ‘multi-faculty’ Colleges, have to come to perceive a lack of benefit from membership of the federal University.

3.       That many UL students, in particular those attending the smaller and specialist Colleges continue to perceive a significant benefit from membership of the federal University.

4.       That all UL students derive some benefit from the University but that there are discrepancies between Colleges and the current system may not be the best one for all members.

 

THIS UNION RESOLVES

 

1.          To establish a University of London Review Group, elected by and from the membership of Council.

2.          That the Review Group shall consist of:

a]    The President as an ex-officio member and Chair.

b]    One of the full-time ULU Executive Officers.

c]    One of the part-time ULU Executive Officers.

d]    One representative from the Small and Specialist Colleges.

e]    One representative from the other Colleges.

f]     Two additional members of Council.

 

3.          That the Review Group shall consult widely, through the constituent college unions as well as directly with the membership, to determine a student perspective on the future of the University.

4.       That the Review Group shall consider all possible eventualities including:

         a]    Retention of the current UL system without change.

         b]    Consolidation of UL into a single university.

c]    A strengthened federal system with retention of some autonomy for the Colleges.

d]    A break-up and consolidation of the University into several institutions built around the larger Colleges.

e]    A retained federal system for the smaller Colleges with the larger ones leaving.

 

5.       To mandate Exec to call on UL to conduct a review of all possible eventualities and impact on its members.

6.       That the Review Group shall produce a report analysing the various options and containing recommendations for policy to be presented at the Sixth meeting of Council.

7.       That the Review Group shall report progress to the Fourth and Fifth meetings of Council.

8.       That the Review Group shall report regularly to the Executive Committee.

1.          To hold elections for the Review Group at this meeting of Council.

10.     To examine the future role of ULU if these changes are implemented.

 

THIS UNION FURTHER RESOLVES

 

1.    That the Sabbatical Officers should continue to campaign for the retention of the University, in its present form, until such a time that the Review Group have reported their findings and Council has set policy.

 

PASSED: 27^th January 2003