The Otago
Polytechnic council "made history" this week.
During its final meeting in its current form, the board,
which will be dissolved at the end of the month, voted to
adopt a statute for the new council.
Under legislation passed in December, the structure of all
polytechnic councils will change. The councils, of up to 20
seats, will be replaced with eight-person councils - four
ministerial appointees and four others appointed by the
council.
Otago will lose seven places from its council, meaning the
end of guaranteed seats for interest groups such as staff,
students, unions and employers.
The Otago statute said four non-ministerial vacancies should
include at least one Maori representative and reflect the
ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the community.
Chairman Graham Crombie said by adopting the statute the
board was "making history" and chief executive Phil Ker
agreed.
"I think we have made history. I don't think there is any
other polytech council in the country that has made this
stance," he said.
Specialist skills required for the council were financial,
educational, business management, Maori knowledge and
perspective. General skills included marketing and
communication, governance, networking and political
processes.
A balance of commercial and public service experience, gender
and of educational and business experience will also be
sought.
The statute also included the establishment of staff and
student subcommittees to advise the reduced board. The
student board will be formed from student representatives
from each department and is expected to have a broad student
view with which to advise the board and chief executive.
An election will be held to decide the staff subcommittee, of
up to 14 members.
The names of the ministerial appointees are expected to be
released next week.
- ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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