University Governance, by Arthur Mettinger

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

2. University Governance
Autonomy – Developmental Planning - Accountability
Vienna, 29.5.2008

3. The Road to Autonomy I
• for 150 years: since mid 19th century influence of Humboldtian
tradition 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 organization
with the University Organization Act 1975:
“democratization” of universities; introduction of
larger organizational units (institutes)
Vienna, 29.5.2008

4. 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
Vienna, 29.5.2008

5. Internal Organization: Organization Chart
Vienna, 29.5.2008

6. Main Governing Bodies I: The University Board
Only external members
4 members elected by the senate
4 members appointed by the federal government
1 member appointed by mutual agreement of the
eight other members
• Election of the rector from the shortlist of three candidates
prepared 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 Federal
Ministry
Vienna, 29.5.2008

7. Main Governing Bodies II: Rector and Rectorate
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 Main duties of the Rectorate
• Spokesperson of the Rectorate • Manage and represent university
• Negotiate performance • Prepare a draft statute for
agreement with respective submission to the Senate, a draft
federal minister organization plan and a
development plan
• Professorial appointments
• Award authorizations to teaching
• Head the university office
• Conduct and manage the
• Human resources development
financial affairs of the University
Vienna, 29.5.2008

8. Main Governing Bodies III: The Senate
Highest academic body - internal members only
10 professors, 2 associate professors/academic staff
5 students, 1 representative of the general university staff
• 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)
Vienna, 29.5.2008

9. 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)
Vienna, 29.5.2008

10. 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 matters
related 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 and
the organization of courses; act as the interface between
students, teachers, and the university administration
•Advisory board:
» Studies conferences (50% teachers, 50% students)
Vienna, 29.5.2008

11. 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 questions
have 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
Vienna, 29.5.2008

12. 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 research
universities 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
Vienna, 29.5.2008

13. 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
Vienna, 29.5.2008

14. 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
Vienna, 29.5.2008

15. 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
Vienna, 29.5.2008

16. Thank you for your attention!
Vienna, 29.5.2008