The foundation university of Tampere is not complete yet as it is developed through continuous cooperation and discussion. The University is nothing without the university community. We insist that the university community is taken into consideration in the University’s management system and University Regulations. Now is the time to review and update the University Regulations with an open-mind. We insist on having a careful and open process in which all members of the university community can equally participate. The Student Union of Tampere University has identified themes which should be taken into account when reviewing the University’s management. These themes, described below, are related to management, transparency, language, subsidiarity, community involvement, the University Board, and board appointment.
Objectives of the Student Union of Tampere University
University community involvement
What?
Supporting participation and inclusion in the university community is at the core of the University’s operations. All members of the university community, meaning students, professors, teaching staff, researchers and other staff members, are included in preparation, drafting and decision-making in all matters that concern them. The involvement of the university community must be guided by the principle of equal right to participate in the University’s bodies. All members of the university community feel welcome at the University. A diverse community brings different perspectives to the University, all of which are essential for the sake of scientific progress. The entire university community must be given a genuine opportunity to participate in decision-making. For example, one fifth of teachers and researchers are currently excluded from university democracy for not speaking Finnish.
How?
- By holding subsidiarity as a guiding principle in all of the University’s activities.
- By ensuring a balanced tripartite representation in all of the University’s multi-member bodies, with the exception of the University Board. This change applies to the Academic Board, the councils working under the Academic Board, and the University’s president and management group.
- By taking the special characteristics of different fields into account in decision-making. By appointing deputy members to the Academic Board.
- By allowing international students and staff members to participate in decision-making using English on all levels of the University’s administration.
- By ensuring the right of initiative for all members of the university community.
Clear and open university management
What?
When the roles of the University’s operational management are made clear and the responsibilities are described in a comprehensible manner, trust is increased in the university community. The university community knows what the responsibilities of each member of the University’s management are, and more power is given to the University’s multi-member administrative bodies. The starting point is to establish systematic common practices for the university community, but the characteristics of different fields and faculties are also taken into consideration in decision-making. Openness is at the core of the management of Tampere University, and important issues of common concern are discussed together with the university community. The processes are made transparent and documents are published, which ensures that the university community can follow the decision-making process.
How?
- By making the faculty council a genuinely strategic body where operational and financial priorities are defined.
- By allowing the university community to participate in decision-making already at the preparatory stage in accordance with university democracy.
- By having the dean be responsible for including the university community in the preparation of important matters of common concern.
- By ensuring that the University’s operational management has a clear role and that the responsibilities are made clearly visible. By defining the roles of the University’s operational management, the roles of the provost and vice presidents in particular, in the University Regulations.
- By clarifying the responsibilities of deans and the status of faculty councils.
- The University Board is assisted by appointment committees, where students and staff are represented, when appointing the University’s operational management.
- By publishing documents used in the appointment of the president and the University Board.
- By making all documents used in decision-making available to the entire community.
University Board and board appointment
What?
The Board of Tampere University holds strategic power and plays a strategic role, which is why it should actively promote dialogue with other multi-member administrative bodies and listen to the community’s views. Before making decisions in academic matters that are in the hands of the University Board, the University Board hears the views of the Academic Board. In the context of university autonomy, the University Regulations define how the University Board is appointed. The university community must have the right to make decisions on the appointment process and competence of the University Board in accordance with the Universities Act.
How?
- By defining the appointment, term and principles of the Board of Tampere University in the University Regulations.
- By keeping the power to make decisions on the appointment of the University Board within the Academic Board.
- By extending the terms of office of University Board members to avoid having an appointment process every year.
- By ensuring that the appointment committee works transparently. By giving the university community the majority and chairmanship.
- By creating an annual wheel for the University Board which lists university community hearings and discussions between different bodies.
Further information:
Ville Jäppinen, board member at TREY, contact information ville.jappinen@trey.fi, 044 7568539, Telegram: @treyville
Jenny Vaara, Specialist in Educational Affairs at TREY, contact information jenny.vaara@trey.fi, 050 361 2847, Telegram: @treyjenny