IT is often quoted that the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Possibly not so, but what is definitely true is that the views on university governance in The Herald this week from the polar extremes of, on one hand, the Institute of Directors (“Bosses attack bid to change ways universities are run”, The Herald, September 16) and on the other, the exiled whistle-blower Edward Snowden (“Snowden fears ‘threat to university autonomy’”, The Herald, September 15), are both wrong when it comes to reforming the governance of our universities.

UCU, the union for academic and related university staff, and NUS Scotland representing the student body both fully support plans to make our universities more democratic and accountable. The proposals to have elected chairs of governing bodies and trade union and student nominees on governing bodies - first mooted in the review carried out by Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski (“University head claims institutions remain in Middle Ages”, The Herald, September 14), carried forward in the HE Governance bill, and supported by both the governing and main opposition party – are worthy of support.

It is no great surprise that the Institute of Directors supports the status quo when so many of the current court members and senior governors come from an almost homogeneous business or professional background. Our universities are not businesses. They are educational institutions and their governance arrangements should reflect both this and the funding received of more than £1 billion annually from the public purse.

Legislating for an elected chair would bring back the democratic tradition in our ancient universities, returning a tradition of the chair of court having a mandate from the whole university community rather than simply being a titular figure. The simple and inescapable truth is that, even where elected rectors exist, there still exists a senior governor or convenor of court— unelected, and appointed from within the governing body—carrying out a role that would be expected of a chair. Far from abolishing the role of rector, the proposals would ensure that elected chairs are genuinely entrusted with the leadership of the governing body.

We also see the straw man of the bill being a risk to universities’ charitable status being raised by university principals. Demonstrably not so when the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator’s own submission on the bill makes clear that they don’t see a risk to charitable status. It is perhaps time our university principals themselves started to act in a more charitable manner in the debate. The figures being thrown around in recent weeks simply have no basis in reality. It has been a matter of regret to both our organisations that the debate around reform has been so intemperate.

The governance bill is a genuine opportunity to make the governance of Scotland’s universities more democratic, transparent and accountable. These principles, in the form of elected chairs of governing bodies in all universities - elected by all staff and all students – and student and trade union nominees having guaranteed positions on court are ones that UCU Scotland and NUS Scotland are proud to support.

Douglas Chalmers , President, UCU Scotland, 227 Ingran Street, Glasgow; Vonnie Sandland, President, and Emily Beever, Women’s Officer, NUS Scotland,

1 Papermill Wynd, McDonald Road, Edinburgh.

THE remarks attributed to Professor Prondynski about the shortcomings in how universities in Scotland are governed are. It is simply wrong to suggest that university governing bodies are “accountable to no-one”.

At Edinburgh University, where I am a member of the court, the rector is elected by the students and the staff. The process of election is open, transparent, fair and effective. The rector presides over the meetings of the court and can make sure that decisions are taken properly, in the interests of students, staff and also wider Scottish society.

This is a demanding and time-consuming role. The vice convener of the court plays a complementary role - equivalent to the chair of the institution - in making sure that the governance is working well. This post is filled by an open and fair recruitment process. This is also a demanding role which involves chairing key committees and reviewing the performance of the principal in his or her role as chief executive of the university.

Governing a large, complex and highly successful university like Edinburgh requires a range of skills and experience on the court. Edinburgh University’s open recruitment of lay members of the court has ensured a good mix of high-calibre people from a range of backgrounds. There are rich sources of information about how the university performs and is governed in the annual review, the annual report and accounts, and other documents on the website.

Although there is always room for improvement, the governance arrangements at Edinburgh University compare well with those in large public bodies which I was able to observe in some detail during my years as the Auditor General for Scotland.

Robert Black,

Backcroft, Dunblane.