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Understanding Institutional autonomy
Institutional autonomy is a defining characteristic of effective higher education systems. It is not just about independence; it is the ability and the will of higher Education institutions to execute their fundamental missions without undue external interference.
What is institutional autonomy?
Institutional Autonomy is defined as the capacity of higher education institutions to set and implement their own priorities and policies regarding organization, finance, staffing, and academic affairs.
Prerequisite for quality
Institutional autonomy is a prerequisite for higher education institutions to provide
high-quality learning, teaching, and research for the benefit of society.
Precondition for AF
Institutional autonomy is described as a precondition for academic freedom.
Democratic function
Institutional autonomy is essential because higher education institutions play a central role in democratic societies.
The role of public authorities
Public authorities need to ensure the conditions required to make institutional autonomy a reality. Governance frameworks and arrangements should actively safeguard institutional autonomy and the self-governance of academic institutions. Furthermore, the academic community itself must also further institutional autonomy.
The four dimensions of autonomy
Institutional autonomy is complex and involves four distinct, yet interconnected, dimensions. These dimensions must be balanced against the public responsibility for higher education.
1. Organizational autonomy
Organizational autonomy decides how higher education institutions structure and govern themselves.
Self-governance
higher education institutions must be able and willing to define their leadership and governance models.
Strategic direction
This includes the autonomy to set an institution’s priorities and strategic direction.
Participatory rights
Organizational autonomy should ensure participatory rights for all members of the academic community.
Protection
Institutional regulations must ensure campus integrity and prevent the use of force and reprisals against academic staff and students, which would violate fundamental values. Bodies representing staff and students should be able to function freely and contribute to institutional policies.
2. Financial autonomy
Financial autonomy relates to an higher education institutions control over their resources and spending.
Allocation
Higher education institutions should be able to decide freely on their internal financial affairs and allocate their funding according to their needs and priorities.
Independence and compliance
higher education institutions should exercise this autonomy independently from external actors while adhering to general rules for transparency and financial accountability.
Funding framework
Public authorities and private funders must provide funding within a framework that allows institutions to establish and implement their institutional priorities.
Key condition
Adequate and sustainable public funding remains the main pre-condition to guarantee institutional autonomy.
Note on non-infringement
Specific funding mechanisms, such as additional funds granted on a competitive or earmarked basis, or the legal regulation of tuition fees, are not considered an infringement of financial autonomy, provided the institution can still set its own priorities.
3. Staffing autonomy
Staffing autonomy concerns the ability of higher education institutions to manage their human resources.
HR decisions
Higher education institutions should be able to hire, promote, and retain staff for academic, technical, and administrative positions.
Standards
In exercising this autonomy, institutions must ensure fairness, transparency, and non-discrimination.
Protection
The policies and practices of higher education institutions, as well as public authorities, must respect and uphold the academic freedom and other legal rights of their staff.
4. Academic autonomy
Academic autonomy is necessary for the institution to ensure that the individual members of the academic community can exercise their academic freedom.
Decision-making
As part of their academic autonomy, higher education institutions must be able to decide on:
◦ Admissions.
◦ Curriculum design and delivery.
◦ The introduction and termination of programmes.
Research capacity/autonomy
It also includes the capacity to decide on the areas, scope, aims, and methods of research, in accordance with the law, academic standards, good research practice, and the values of academic integrity.
Accountability and responsibility
Institutional autonomy is not an absolute right; it must be balanced against the public responsibility for higher education and other fundamental rights, such as academic freedom.
Accountability
Irrespective of their high degree of autonomy, and delivery are accountable for their decisions
Consistency
Arrangements for ensuring and assessing public responsibility and accountability should be consistent with institutional autonomy. This applies especially to public funding, fundamental values, and human rights.
Preventing undue interventions
Accountability and responsibility should not serve as a pretext for undue or excessive interventions by public authorities or other external actors.
Resources
Tirana Ministerial Communiqué
Tirana Statement on fundamental values
Paris Ministerial Communiqué
European Strategy for Universities
Slide deck on Fundamental Values (PPT)
Bologna Process Implementation Report 2024 - Fundamental Values Chapter