FRANCE: Universities begin move to autonomy

Nearly a quarter of France's 80-plus universities assumed new powers of autonomy on 1 January under the government's Universities' Freedoms and Responsibilities law. The legislation gives the universities control over their budgets, staff recruitment and salaries, and other areas that were previously the responsibility of the state. All universities must adopt the reform by 2012, though academics and students continue to express their opposition.

Catering for 315,000 students and employing nearly 20,000 teachers, the pioneer institutions are the universities of Aix-Marseille 2, Cergy-Pontoise, Clermont-Ferrand 1, Corte, La Rochelle, Limoges, Lyon 1, Marne-la-Vallée, Montpellier 1, Mulhouse, Nancy 1, Paris 5, Paris 6, Paris 7, Saint-Etienne, Strasbourg 1, 2 and 3, Toulouse 1 and Troyes. At the same time, the three Strasbourg universities officially merged to become the single University of Strasbourg, reducing the number of French universities to 82.

The autonomous institutions will have total control of their budgets, instead of only a quarter of their spending, and responsibility over whom they hire and the status of their employees regarding tenure, working hours, salaries and bonuses. To ensure a smooth transition, each university will receive grants totalling EUR250,000 (US$335,000) to meet expenses such as staff training and recruitment of consultants and specialists.

During the past year, in preparation for the new law, university governing boards have been restructured and halved in size to a maximum of 30 members. They include increased representation of 'socio-economic interests' such as companies.

The law also enables universities to create foundations and seek sponsorship from individuals and businesses to fund teaching and research projects such as professorships, mobility grants and laboratories. They may also apply to become owners of their university's buildings.

While the reform is now under way and has broad support of university presidents, opposition remains among some members of the university community. Lecturers' and students' representatives fear 'privatisation' of the university sector and that the state will stop financing courses it regards as not cost-effective.

Last week in Le Monde, 14 academics spelt out their misgivings over the "unacceptable" reform, which they said threatened their status, rights and academic freedom, would weaken public service with students as the first victims and invested too much power in university presidents.

In a statement sent to Valérie Pécresse, Higher Education and Research Minister, the biggest union representing lecturers and researchers condemned "this shameful decree constituting abolition of the national statute" governing their profession.

The majority students' union Unef claimed the law could lead to selection, higher fees, domination by business and increased inequality between universities, and called on its supporters to take action this month.

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jane.marshall@uw-news.com