Technical Glitches and Alleged Lack of Transparency Spark Frustrations
By Kirsten Koss
By Miles Rothoerl
Staff and student senators expressed frustrations after a heated meeting of the University Senate this Wednesday – with some staff senators left unable to contribute.
Tensions were high as the university’s top academic decision-making body convened for its first meeting since an emergency meeting of the Senate was called in early December prompted by the ongoing consultation on the future of modern languages.
The three-hour hybrid meeting convened in the King’s Conference Centre, though reports indicate that several staff senators encountered technical difficulties, preventing them from participating via Teams. Despite their questions being submitted in the chat, controversial questions about the university’s financial position were parked by University Secretary Tracey Slaven allegedly due to lack of time.
One staff senator, speaking anonymously, confirmed the challenges faced by remote participants: "Several academics online could not contribute. There was no link provided, so they sent their questions via email, and it was acknowledged by Tracey Slaven that they would get answers.”
Despite these assurances, it appears that some questions remained unanswered during the meeting, fuelling ongoing concerns among attendees.
Another anonymous source highlighted instances of perceived disrespect towards senators during the meeting. One student senator was allegedly interrupted by Principal Boyne while discussing the university’s commitment to sustainability in Aberdeen Graduate Attributes, drawing criticism from several members of the senate.
“Many senators were extremely disappointed at the lack of transparency at yesterday's Senate meeting,” said the source, “senators were also shocked at the condescending manner in which several student and staff senators were spoken to ranging from outright interruptions to dismissal.
The Gaudie understands that an academic senator faced similar treatment when asking for a record of an informal meeting related to the modern languages consultation, with Principal Boyne responding: ‘should I produce a record of every informal meeting that occurs at the university?’
Commenting on the tone, a staff senator told The Gaudie, “the way two students were treated was not acceptable. Some of us [staff] almost intervened, and I feel we should have.”
Tensions between senior leaders and the university community continue to increase as it emerges the university rejected further requests for student representation on the modern languages consultation steering group, despite calls from the Minister for Higher and Further Education. In the meeting, Principal Boyne confirmed that an open letter recently published in The Gaudie would receive a response. Student senator Fred Byrne said:
“I look forward to University Management's response. Important student voices have been left out in language consultations. Now, and going forwards students must be better represented in consultations and decision-making. There is a lack of information on how the potential DHPA and LLMVC merger will impact students. We need to know more.”
The Students’ Union echoed Byrne’s sentiments, with VP for Education Rhiannon Ledwell stating that “the Students’ Union tries to work in partnership with university management whenever possible at every level of university governance. It is bizarre, illogical and a rejection of the partnership to continue to exclude students from the top table. It also gives us grave concerns for any future consultations and how students will be involved.”
Despite the animosity in the room, staff and student senators did acknowledge a growing sense of community amidst uncertainty. One staff senator remarked: “The mood was divided. We got no clarity regarding the university finances, the modern languages consultation, the data behind it, or potential school mergers. All we could do was to show that we have formed an academic community that is more united and mindful of each other than in the past.”
Our anonymous source echoed this saying:
“We do not feel that our voices were taken seriously. That is in stark contrast to a recent collaborative student-staff forum on Friday evening, where everyone discussed issues, brainstormed solutions, and truly listened to each other.”
The staff-student community might be growing, but the divide between senior managers and the university community seems to grow stronger by the day.
A university spokesperson said "Senate is a forum for debate and discussion. Contributions from Senators must remain relevant to the agenda item and as Convenor, the Principal must encourage contributors to remain focused on the issue being debated.
"There was an issue with feedback for those Senators joining by TEAMS, which our technicians worked hard to overcome. Anyone who wasn’t able to ask a question was invited to submit it through the chat function, the questions were reported to Senate and responses will be included in the minutes. The Principal, was not aware that an addition to the agenda in relation to Palestine had been requested as a late paper and an apology has been issued to the student senator for any confusion that resulted."
