Dr Craig Marshall, of the University of Otago's department
of biochemistry, argues for the negative team at the debate
"The university is too big and is losing its special
character". Photo by Linda Robertson.
Increasing layers of bureaucracy at the University of
Otago had affected the "special quality" of the landmark
academic institution, participants in a debate concluded.
Five academics and a student argued whether the university
was too big and losing its special character at an organised
debate in the Castle lecture theatre on Monday.
Department of politics Emeritus Prof Jim Flynn led the
affirmative team, but it was his critical comments at the
conclusion of the moot which drew the attention of the
audience.
A sense of participating at decision-making level at Otago
had decreased among academics as the institution grew larger,
Prof Flynn said.
"This is not just about size, though."
Academics now focused on their own departments, rather than
contributing to an overall view of university life.
A sense of detachment between the senate and academics had
affected the "special character" of the university.
During his time on the senate in the 1990s, it had become
apparent "academics' voices" were no longer always being
listened to, Prof Flynn said.
An audience of more than 100 people voted to decide the
winning debate, awarding a narrow victory of 52% to Prof
Flynn's affirmative team.
Approached after the debate, Prof Flynn said "layers of
bureaucracy" contributed to a sense of detachment.
Previous vice-chancellors had contributed to this, he said.
However, the most recent tenureships had been characterised
by more of an understanding and equality-based approach, he
said.
Dr Gil Rutherford, from the College of Education, Division of
Humanities, for the affirmative, said the focus on research
programmes needed to change to teaching undergraduates
because improved education flowed into better research.
Otago University Students' Association education officer
Katie Reid was a lone voice in the debate representing
student issues. Much of the debate centred around the
"special character" of Otago and how it applied to academics,
but a university was more than just its staff, she said.
Dr John Williams said during the negative team's summing up,
the definition of "special character" was a matter of
subjective opinion.
To some students, Otago's character meant coming to study
"couch-burning 101 and fire-starting 102", and it certainly
appeared "this hasn't changed in the last few years".
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