The art of how not to govern a university well

Abstract

The art of how to govern a university well is an exploratory and evaluate work of the ills plaguing many universities. These ills manifest themselves mostly in misplaced use of power bv people in authority over colleagues. The study focuses on the expected roles of chairmen of councils, vice chancellors and registrar. Chancellors are left out merely because their roles are ceremonial in nature and incumbents seldom delve into day to day administrative matters until and unless there is a looming crisis. The emluation emphasizes the need for proper use of discretionary power and a commitment to work with the statutes and committees designed to mobilize the finest ideas for collective decision-making processes in universities. The work also looks at the expected qualities of these key players in the lives of universities and how a commitment to leadership by example can instill discipline and order in the intellectual, research and social engagement of universities as communities of scholars. The study concludes that respect for senior academics and professional non-teaching staff builds teams that protect and defend internal and external intrusions into academic pursuits and autonomy. Such license promotes the search dissemination and defence of the truth. The work stresses the usefulness of academic freedom in speaking about anything and dealing fairly, firmly and calmly with problems which have potential to malign university managers and dent the images of scholastic institutions within the international community.