The university's ''Court of Convocation'' rules, which have been in place since 1891, previously meant its 75,000 alumni had the chance to elect three of up to 20 members on the university council.
This tradition looks likely to change, after an Otago University spokeswoman said the council had decided to recommend a change to the process so Court of Convocation candidates were elected by the council, rather than alumni.
The soon-to-be-made recommendation would need to be approved by Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce.
If approved, the new process meant graduates would be able to apply or be nominated for vacant positions on the council and successful candidates would be chosen by the council.
''The council hopes that this will lead to an increase in the number of graduates being willing to offer themselves for membership of council, and it will also give the opportunity for ensuring that the council has the best balance of skills across its membership,'' she said.
She noted there had been a ''very low'' turnout in recent elections - less than 6% in the most recent two elections. The elections also came at considerable cost.
Student politics veteran and Otago University Students' Association life member Mark Baxter said the move was an ''attack on democracy''.
''They don't really want to know any of the stakeholders' opinions if it's contrary to running it as a business.''
It came at a time when democracy at universities was already under threat. Mr Joyce is expected to announce changes to the make-up of university councils soon.
''I'm guessing the university is just getting in before [Mr Joyce] does, I presume in the hope that they can at least keep some kind of graduate representation,'' he said.
A spokesman for Mr Joyce said in a statement: ''The minister has not yet received any notice from Otago University in relation to this issue. If he does, he will consider it in due course.''
