Cambridge University Governance Vote Allows Both Sides to Claim Victory. (March 16, 2008)

One March 4, 2008 TFW reported "Cambridge Dons Voting on Increasing Number of Lay People on University's Governing Body".

Cambridge University's "dons' parliament" - known as Regent House - was to vote on March 12 on whether to increase the number of outsiders on its executive governing body from two to four.

A significant number of the university's academics saw this as an attempt by the institution's administration to shift the balance of power by increasing the number of outsiders on the university's decision-making bodies. In their view the alteration would mean they would still elect 12 of the  executive governing body but those not elected by them would rise from 10 to 12 whom they believed would be strongly influenced by the vice-chancellor who, in the case of tied decisions, holds the casting vote.

Just under 28% of the 3,800 academic staff, heads of colleges and university officers who make up Regent House voted. A majority -- 711 to 344 -- voted in favour of increasing the outsiders from two to four; on the face of it a resounding defeat for those against adding the additional outsiders.

However, a qualification to the outcome lessens the effect.

In the same ballot, a majority -- 576 to 471 -- voted in favour of the dons electing the members of the committee that nominate the outsiders, which is seen as a victory for academic self-rule by those who feared the increase. Just how much of a victory will be played out when the composition of the committee to elect the outsiders is determined.