Rector elections to continue at UiA

There are two governance models at institutional level at state universities. You can either have unified management with a rector appointed by the Board and an external board chair, or a two-tier management with a rector elected by staff and students, where the rector is also the board chair. In the second model, which UiA has had until now, there is also a university director.

During the board meeting on 14 September, the matter was presented to the University Board. Director of External Relations Paal Pedersen presented the matter, as University Director Seunn Smith-Tønnessen was recused due to the direct impact any decision would have on her position.

The matter has been thoroughly prepared with arguments for and against, and the question of how the management structure at UiA should be in the future has been on consultation. The consultation statements have been almost unanimous in favour of continuing with rector elections.

Adopted 10 to 1

In the Board’s discussion, principles such as democracy and participation were raised by several members as arguments in favour of an elected rector, while the possibility of increasing the supply of rector candidates by appointing a rector was raised as a counterargument, among others.

The current rector, Sunniva Whittaker, stated that as an elected rector, the most important thing is to listen to the institution, which has given clear signals that an elected rector is the preferred model.

The governance model of an elected rector was adopted by a 10 to 1 vote. It was also unanimously decided that this item should not automatically return to the Board before subsequent election periods, unless the Board requests it.

Next rector election in 2023

This is how the schedule now looks for the upcoming rector election:

• Deadline for nominating candidates: December 2022
• The election is carried out electronically: January – February 2023
• Possible second round of elections: February 2023

The next rector’s term starts on 1 August 2023.

Rector will be elected along with a prorector

The University Board also decided on whether rector candidates should stand for election alone or together with a prorector. Until now, rector candidates at UiA have run alone.

The arguments for rector and prorector candidates to run together as a team are, among others, that it will be more predictable what the rectorship will be like. It may also be easier to bring external candidates into a team with an internal candidate, and it may become clear from the team composition what the rectorate wants to achieve.

The new arrangement for electing rector teams was adopted unanimously.

Must decide on a governance model at faculty level

The University Board has signalled that they want to consider the governance structure at faculty level.

Today, UiA has the same model at all the faculties and the Teacher Education Unit: A two-tier management system consisting of an appointed dean who chairs the faculty board, and a faculty director who is responsible for the administrative staff.

The Board decided to ask the university director to prepare a separate item on the organisational structure at faculty level for an upcoming meeting.

Other select items

• The University Board adopted the proposed changes to the model for internal budget distribution between different types of study programmes, with the aim that it should better support the achievement of UiA’s strategy, including more student-active learning
• The University Board was informed about admissions and student numbers in autumn 2022. 7% fewer students were admitted than in autumn 2021, and the number of students in total is 1.3% lower than a year ago
• The University Board was presented with a draft of a development agreement between UiA and the Ministry of Education, and authorised the university director to finalise the agreement following the board’s discussion
• The University Board held a dialogue meeting with the Centre for Coastal Research (CCR), one of the university’s eight priority research centres

All the documents from the University Board meeting on 14 September 2022 (Norwegian only)