Governance challenges for students MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON DUBAI

Governance challenges for students MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

HE Governance • Funding councils require good governance and they monitor it • HEIs are being compared to governance elsewhere in the private and public sector • Lots of guidance for HE governing bodies e. g. CUC, LFHE • Diversity of HE sector – one sit doesn’t fit all. Huge variations in size, committee structure, role of students etc. Slide 2 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Main role of Governing Bodies • Ensure financial health and sustainability • Approve institutional strategy and ensure it is achieved • Ensure accountability and regulatory compliance • Effectively assess risk and supporting innovation • Enhance institutional reputation and competitiveness • Provide confidence in institutional governance • Support and challenge the Executive team Slide 3 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Middlesex University Board of Governors • Board of Governors – size 25 (2 student reps) • Main committees: o Audit (no students) o Finance and General Purposes (1 student) o Governance and Nominations (1 student) o Senior Staff Conditions of Service (no students) – Academic Board Slide 4 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Governors and students • Governing bodies have ‘unambiguous responsibility’ for all institutional matters. They exercise responsibilities in a corporate manner i. e. decisions are taken collectively. • Students need to be able to take a corporate view; what is in the best interest of the University as a whole • Governing bodies focus on strategy and institutional performance not on operational matters. Slide 5 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Governors and students • Student representatives need to be interested in a wide range of information. • There may be conflict of loyalties – they are representative of all students but not mandated by them. • Some parochial issues are not decided by the Board but through the University’s committee structure. Slide 6 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Governors and students • There are conventions of governance to be observed and lobbying does not fit in to these conventions • Student representatives are in a unique position to provide a much needed student perspective and can guide governors in a direction that is beneficial to students. • Need to be proactive Slide 7 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Governors and students • Potential conflict as SU officer • Might be discussing issues that conflict directly with union policy • Can make sure active contributions are made • Ensure that views are recorded • Can provide views on role of students’ money/ student as a consumer/ diversity profile of the student body. Slide 8 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Whose interests? • Inter-generational interests (debt is generational specific) • Student interests • Student and staff interests • Alumni interests • Institutional interest • Conflicts of interest Slide 9 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS

Relationship agreement • • Strategic planning Induction Mentoring Champion Auditing the relationship Good governance code of practice Independent returning officer Compatibility with other regulators Slide 10 08 September 2021 MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY LONDON | DUBAI | MAURITIUS