Committee for Higher Education Self-Governance
Committee for Higher Education Self-Governance
What is higher education self-governance?
Higher education self-governance is a body that represents students, academic staff, and other employees of higher education institutions. The self-governing body has the right to make decisions on matters concerning the institution, such as the budget, educational programs, and academic standards. The aim of self-governance is to improve the quality of education and to give students and staff greater control over their lives on campus.
The agenda of individual self-governing bodies may vary depending on the specific type of higher education institution. In general, however, self-governing bodies strive to ensure that the needs of students and staff are met. This may include improving the quality of education, providing services for students and staff, addressing issues related to campus life, and supporting cultural, sporting, and other activities associated with higher education life.
Higher education self-governance is composed of representatives of students, academic staff, and other employees of higher education institutions. These representatives are elected by members of the academic community and are appointed by the rector or other senior officials of the institution.
So, as an academic senator, am I taking part in higher education self-governance?
Yes, that is exactly right. Under the Higher Education Act, the academic senate of a public higher education institution is its self-governing representative academic body. It has at least eleven members, of whom students make up at least one-third and at most one-half. As you can no doubt imagine, then, no academic senate could function in the long term without students.
Another aim of self-governance is to give students and staff of higher education institutions greater participation in the workings of the higher education environment. This may include students’ right to take part in decision-making on academic matters, such as changes to educational programs or academic standards.
What does the Committee for Higher Education Self-Governance (KVS) deal with?
This committee of the Student Chamber of the Council of Higher Education Institutions (SK RVŠ) focuses on the systematic monitoring of the situation in academic self-governance and on developing, in particular, student involvement in the self-governing bodies of higher education institutions, such as academic senates and dormitory councils. The committee also seeks to ensure active and effective cooperation between the SK RVŠ and academic self-governing bodies at the level of higher education institutions and their faculties.
The KVS further addresses the social and economic aspects of studying at higher education institutions. It also deals with the employability and job placement of higher education graduates, as well as various forms of discrimination in access to higher education and in the course of study. Its agenda also includes the issue of higher education financing, which currently faces major problems, including insufficient financial support for students from the state.
Veronika Zelenková
Chair of the Committee for Higher Education Self-Governance
zelenkova@skrvs.cz
