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| Oxford dons back finance reform | Oxford dons back finance reform |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Academics at Oxford University have backed reforms which could hand financial control to outsiders. | Academics at Oxford University have backed reforms which could hand financial control to outsiders. |
| Vice-chancellor John Hood wants to change the 900-year-old tradition of its self-governing council and bring in external members to oversee finances. | Vice-chancellor John Hood wants to change the 900-year-old tradition of its self-governing council and bring in external members to oversee finances. |
| Academics voted 652 for and 507 against an amendment to a white paper which may lead to a proposed financial board having a majority of external members. | |
| Opponents intend to reject wider plans at a second vote later this month. | Opponents intend to reject wider plans at a second vote later this month. |
| During the two-hour debate in Sheldonian Theatre, a letter from government funding chiefs was read out calling those voting to back legislation for a "lay majority". | During the two-hour debate in Sheldonian Theatre, a letter from government funding chiefs was read out calling those voting to back legislation for a "lay majority". |
| David Eastwood, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, wrote: "In our view it is difficult to see how the standards for good governance can be met by any higher education institution without that body having an external majority on its executive governing body." | David Eastwood, chief executive of the Higher Education Funding Council for England, wrote: "In our view it is difficult to see how the standards for good governance can be met by any higher education institution without that body having an external majority on its executive governing body." |
| The university says rapid financial growth demands more control. | The university says rapid financial growth demands more control. |
| Fresh challenges | Fresh challenges |
| A university spokesman said: "Income and expenditure have doubled, research revenues have more than tripled, student numbers have grown by 20% and new departments and institutes have been established. | A university spokesman said: "Income and expenditure have doubled, research revenues have more than tripled, student numbers have grown by 20% and new departments and institutes have been established. |
| "This diversity and dynamism has brought with it fresh challenges so Oxford needs the right framework in which to prosper and to maintain its reputation for excellence in all its activities." | "This diversity and dynamism has brought with it fresh challenges so Oxford needs the right framework in which to prosper and to maintain its reputation for excellence in all its activities." |
| There are currently 25 members of the university council - including four lay members - responsible for both academic and financial matters. | There are currently 25 members of the university council - including four lay members - responsible for both academic and financial matters. |
| Dr Hood proposes to replace this with separate academic and financial boards. The financial board would have a slim majority from outside the university. | Dr Hood proposes to replace this with separate academic and financial boards. The financial board would have a slim majority from outside the university. |
| It will do nothing, absolutely nothing to solve Oxford's main current problem which is that it needs more money Nicholas Bamforth | It will do nothing, absolutely nothing to solve Oxford's main current problem which is that it needs more money Nicholas Bamforth |
| His proposal is for the council to be composed of seven external and seven internal members plus a chairman - who would be the Chancellor, Lord Patten, for the first five years. | His proposal is for the council to be composed of seven external and seven internal members plus a chairman - who would be the Chancellor, Lord Patten, for the first five years. |
| After that, an existing external member of council becomes chairman. | After that, an existing external member of council becomes chairman. |
| The amendment would make it possible that the replacement council member could be an external or an internal candidate. | The amendment would make it possible that the replacement council member could be an external or an internal candidate. |
| The parliament of 3,500 academics would make that decision. | The parliament of 3,500 academics would make that decision. |
| Brought by supporters of Dr Hood, the amendment was backed by a majority. | Brought by supporters of Dr Hood, the amendment was backed by a majority. |
| Rebels now plan to oppose the whole amended plans when they are brought back before the congregation once more on 28 November. | Rebels now plan to oppose the whole amended plans when they are brought back before the congregation once more on 28 November. |
| Lack of control | Lack of control |
| The critics say that even if the extra place were granted to an internal member it would not alter the council substantially in their favour. | The critics say that even if the extra place were granted to an internal member it would not alter the council substantially in their favour. |
| Queen's College law fellow Nicholas Bamforth opposes Dr Hood's plans. | Queen's College law fellow Nicholas Bamforth opposes Dr Hood's plans. |
| "It will do nothing, absolutely nothing, to solve Oxford's main current problem which is that it needs more money," he said. | "It will do nothing, absolutely nothing, to solve Oxford's main current problem which is that it needs more money," he said. |
| He said the costs of the proposal outweighed any benefits and what Oxford really needed was for academics to take more control. | He said the costs of the proposal outweighed any benefits and what Oxford really needed was for academics to take more control. |
| But Professor John Kay, who resigned as director of the university's business school six years ago said Oxford needed urgent changes to be made to the way it is run. | But Professor John Kay, who resigned as director of the university's business school six years ago said Oxford needed urgent changes to be made to the way it is run. |
| "What it doesn't have is professional management in a number of areas in which it needs it," he said. | "What it doesn't have is professional management in a number of areas in which it needs it," he said. |
| "For example, financial control has been missing for years - the new vice-chancellor has taken quite a lot of action to rectify that and quite a lot more needs to be taken." | "For example, financial control has been missing for years - the new vice-chancellor has taken quite a lot of action to rectify that and quite a lot more needs to be taken." |