19/08/2020
Welcome to the Campaign for a Democratic Vice-Chancellor!
We are a growing coalition of Durham students and staff wishing to influence the appointment of the next Vice-Chancellor. The past five years of Stuart Corbridge’s leadership has shown that the University Executive does not have appropriate priorities and is in dire need of democratic intervention. Staff industrial action, climate strikes, and petition after petition seeking to influence Executive decision-making show that the desire for change is present. For the large part, these efforts have fallen on deaf ears. However, we believe that the current Vice-Chancellor’s retirement presents a unique opportunity to have student and staff voices heard regarding both the process of appointing the next Vice-Chancellor and the qualities such an individual should possess.
Recently, the Chair of the University Council, Joe Docherty, sent an email to all students regarding the beginning of the appointment process, detailing how an external “executive search firm” known as Perrett Laver would “support this process”. This is the same firm that recommended Stuart Corbridge in 2015. It was not made clear what qualities, background or priorities this process would be looking for in a Vice-Chancellor. Docherty’s email explained how Perrett Laver would wish to consult with students over different aspects of the University and the next Vice-Chancellor. In a later email, this was explained to be taking the form of two Zoom calls lasting one hour each. We believe that this is a tokenistic approach to student consultation and feel that there is much more, and greater quality, consultation that can and must take place in the coming months.
Our movement would find it incredibly advantageous to hear many different students’ and student groups’ opinions on the process. To facilitate this, we’d like to invite students, staff, JCRs, societies, and associations to join our campaign in a Zoom call with staff members and students from Decommercialise Durham and Cuth’s Ripped Off to discuss the details of this campaign. This will be taking place on the 28th August at 2pm. Please message the page for more details.
There are many different student groups and movements in Durham with a wide array of priorities, opinions, and outlooks on life. With a united effort, the appointment of the next Vice-Chancellor offers an incredible opportunity to influence Durham for years to come, to the benefit of all.
