Armstrong, Anona (2007) Benchmarking university council performance. In: University Governance: Managing Relationships, 30 March 2007, Melbourne, Australia. (Unpublished)

Abstract

The Commonwealth Government's National Governance Protocols have stimulated changes to the performance expected of University Councils, the relationships between Chancellors, Vice-Chancellors and Council Members, and new ways of engaging with the diverse interests of industry and the community. The purpose of this paper is to promote better performance of university boards by introducing a framework for university council performance assessment tailored to meet the complex and unique needs of university councils. The paper discusses some earlier frameworks and best practice guidelines and compares the elements of each of these with the new assessment tool developed by the Centre for International Corporate Governance Research, the University Council Assessment Questionnaire. Conducting an assessment is a protection for Council members should difficult circumstances arise, and provides a guide for continuous improvement. The assessment tool also assists members of Councils and senior managers to develop, implement and maintain a robust system of governance that fits the particular circumstances of the entity; provides the mechanisms for an entity to establish and maintain an ethical culture through a committed, self-regulatory approach; and finally, assessment enhances the public reputation of a university and assists in the prevention and detection of fraudulent behaviour. Through enhanced transparency and accountability it provides external stakeholders with confidence in the performance of their university.

Search Google Scholar

Repository staff login