Leeds
Met Equals |
Tuesday 9 September
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In my talks to colleagues in Leeds and Harrogate yesterday, I mentioned the temptation in educational institutions for staff who think they are not in ‘the centre’ to blame ‘the centre’ for polices, decisions, action or indeed inaction with which they disagree. There is, of course, an equal temptation for those who think they are in ‘the centre’ to blame staff ‘out there’ for any shortcomings in the service given to students. Most buck-passing is unprofessional but this educational version is also misguided, in that it rests on a warped sense of where the centre is.
A balanced understanding of a student-centred university begins with the realisation that the centre is not a particular place or set of offices or support services. The centre is where our students are in their university lives. So those dealing directly with students are at the centre. Support services are also vital but we should not equate them with the ‘centre’ and we should not call them ‘central’ services. Language matters. So does understanding. In sport and education, it is difficult to equalize if you are off-balance. An equalizing university has to become balanced around those who are best placed to serve students’ interests.
Professor Simon Lee, Vice-Chancellor, vc@leedsmet.ac.uk.
