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Chancellor's "corporate" view for universities

October 25, 2004

Universities are being forced to change from “academic professional bureaucracies” to be run along corporate lines, the Chancellor of the University of New England told a conference of local government delegates today.
In his opening address to the annual Local Government Association, held at UNE, Mr John Cassidy said universities needed to exist less on “hand-to-mouth” Government hand-outs to developing business plans and balanced budgets.
“Dare I say, we have to compete for students and for public and private research funds,” Mr Cassidy told a packed auditorium at the start of the three-day conference.
“The challenges for change are in formulating a long-term strategic plan, sound business plan, adopting a more corporate structure with strict finance and administrative procedures, better lobbying and marketing skills.
“The greatest challenge is for senior management and the University Council to implement these changes.”

He told how this thinking came about in part by sweeping changes to the Federal Government’s funding policy for higher education providers. These new protocols, Mr Cassidy said, had existed for some time in the corporate sector and are “much needed and are forcing institutions to make drastic changes”.
Mr Cassidy said local government was also experiencing a time of change.
“Local Government in NSW has been and will continue to grow through a process of amalgamations forced on them by the State Government,” Mr Cassidy said.
“This process has in turn forced many local governments to revue the financial and social impacts of amalgamation.
“Your [LGA President, Cllr Dr] Sara Murray, hit the nail on the head when she said [in her welcome address to the LGA conference] that the two main issues for amalgamation are long-term financial viability and delivery of relevant social services.”
A total of 770 delegates are expected at the conference, being held at Lazenby Hall.
Guest speakers today (October 25) included NSW Roads and Transport Minister Carl Scully, NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden and Mr Richard Torbay, Independent MP for the Northern Tablelands.
Mr Scully said he had “an open mind” about creating tolls on the Pacific Highway and touted plans by the State Government to review liability in road accidents involving truck drivers the vehicle operators.
Mr Brogden, also addressing concerns from the floor about road safety, said if he were elected he would consider reintroducing the so-called 3X3 levy of the Greiner/Murray Government, where an extra levy on road users would go towards the maintenance of local roads.
For more information phone Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779.

Posted by Lydia Roberts at October 25, 2004 05:11 PM