Inside Education - Old foes unite over hard cash

Published on Monday 15 September 2008 22:10

IT IS always a danger sign when traditional enemies unite against a single foe.

Rectors at Scotland's universities have always been a thorn in the side of principals.

Elected by students, rectors can embarrass via incompetence, as some celebrity incumbents have. However, they can also prove a coruscating political tool for students to hold university management to account.

But, for the first time, rectors have combined forces and appear to be singing in tune with their old enemies.

A university source said: "While they could be a nuisance at individual universities, they were seldom focused on issues sector-wide.

"You didn't have to worry about them commenting on the bigger picture."

However, the latest batch of rectors are almost all active and political.

The five, who exert their influence through their right to chair the university court, include MP and former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy at Glasgow University, former Green MSP Mark Ballard at Edinburgh, former diplomat Craig Murray at Dundee, and Simon Pepper at St Andrews.

Principals were bracing themselves for onslaught at the first joint press conference of the four earlier this month, but were delighted to hear demands for more funding which echoed their own.

The source added: "It's possible they could prove more of a help than a hindrance. Universities could have found unlikely allies to make the case for greater funding for higher education.

"Could we end up finding the people who universities once found troublesome are allies in disguise?"

After demanding 168 million over three years to remain competitive with universities south of the Border, principals were left disappointed with far less.

A Joint Future Thinking Taskforce was set up to save face for both sides but has been dismissed as a talking shop.

The sector is now rallying together and those once in conflict are standing shoulder to shoulder. It is an example of solidarity that politicians would do well to heed.

The source added: "The Scottish Government ought to notice that the political establishment, university management, students and the radicals are all realising they have common cause."

With troops gathering on the hill, the Scottish Government should prepare for siege.