Academic consultancies to come under proper scrutiny

CAPA applauds the thirtieth recommendation of the Senate Committee report, Universities in Crisis, that a code of practice should be drawn up to cover academic consultancies, and that the quality review agency should examine such policies and practices as part of its routine audits.

"Academic consulting is a growing business, one that is leading many individuals and institutions into very tricky waters," said President John Byron today.

In general, the trouble people are getting into with consultancies is ultimately the responsibility of the Howard Coalition Government.

"Due to the unforgivable neglect of the present Government, universities are unable to offer academics anything like the kinds of salaries that they could command in the private sector," explained Mr Byron.

"Additionally, staff are feeling the effects of a draconian, and possibly illegal, inducement by the Minister for Education to universities to conform to his Dickensian vision of regressive industrial relations ideology in exchange for an inadequate salary supplementation grant."

Mr Byron continued, "Since their capacity to attract and retain staff has been removed by this aggressive and irresponsible Government, universities have taken to condoning all sorts of unusual practices to keep academics on board.

"Unfortunately, some of these arrangements have done further damage to universities, bleeding off resources and staff time that have been supplied at public expense for the discharge of a public responsibility - the education of our nation's students, and the conduct of research," he said.

Ignorance may be a significant factor, and policy guidelines are likely to help a great deal.

"Not too many academic consultants are working in the fields of business ethics, probity, new industrial arrangements or commercial activity within public-sector institutions," said Mr Byron.

"Academics cannot be expected to be instant experts on these very tricky areas of law and policy, yet there is no question but that academic consultants need to observe the law, and act in the best interests of their institutions and the public that funds them."

Apart from questions of propriety, consultancies must also be scrutinised to ensure they are not hampering the key functions of public tertiary institutions.

"Consultancies are well and good, but they must not interfere with academics' primary responsibilities - to offer first-class tuition, to conduct first-class research, and to be available to students - undergraduates and postgraduates - for the benefit of the academic community and the public at large," concluded Mr Byron.