CUHK’s new V-C

Students want more say in selection process

Members of the search commitee (left to right) Jacob Leung, Prof. Daniel Law and Lina Yan. (Bernice Ha)

By Sandy Sezto

After Prof. Arthur Li resigned his post as vice-chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in July 2002, the university started a search for his successor.

Prof. Ambrose King, then deputy to Prof. Li, was named acting vice-chancellor on 1 August 2002.

He was appointed vice-chancellor on 11 September 2002. His position was an interim one until his successor took office or his retirement on 31 December 2003, whichever came first.

His term has since been extended for another six months till 30 June 2004. This is when his newly appointed successor, Lawrence J. Lau, takes over.

Prof. Lau, an eminent economics professor from Stanford University in California, was appointed by the University Council on 13 October 2003. He assumes his post on 1 July 2004.

The council decides who ultimately becomes the head of the school. It is comprised of university staff, alumni and members of the community.

It is also responsible for setting up the search committee for a new vice-chancellor. The search committee is made up of the chairman and three other members of the University Council and three members of the Senate.

The Senate is a committee that oversees the selection process. It consists of teaching staff and students.

According to the Chinese University Ordinance, the council appoints a vice-chancellor after it receives advice from the search committee.

There was no student representative on either the search committee or the council.

Jacob Leung, secretary of the search committee and of the Chinese University, said, “We are not prohibiting students from entering the committee.

“In fact, they already have a channel to join it.”

Students can get onto the committee through internal nominations by senate members.

But Wayne Tsang, president of the Student Union of the Chinese University, said, “Theoretically, students can get a seat on the search committee, but it is highly unlikely.”

In response to student interest in a place on the search committee, Prof. King set up a committee to discuss the role of students in selecting the vice-chancellor.

“However, not much has been confirmed until now,” said Mr. Tsang.

There is also a lack of student participation in local universities’ school administration.

Enrico Lee, external vice-president of the Student Union of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said, “There is no channel for students to actually participate in the process.

“There are only meetings between the search committee and representatives from the Student Union.”

Students of The University of Hong Kong have fought for the right to participate.

Elisa Leung, external vice-president of The University of Hong Kong’s Student Union, said, “We have four students in the council who have the same voting rights as other members in approving the appointment.

“The Student Union has also been fighting for a place on the selection committee.”

The committee tried to satisfy the students by offering a post as official observer.

“The Student Union declined the offer because we thought it had no practical influence in the process,” said Ms. Leung.

In many foreign universities, students have a strong say in choosing their leaders.

Douglas Porter, secretary and registrar of The University of Queensland, said, “The current vice-chancellor was chosen on recommendations of the search committee.

“The student member of the selection committee and the three student members in the Senate had full voting rights.”

The University of California also encourages student to participate by having student regents.

Said Matt Murray, a student regent of the University of California: “The student regents can express students’ opinions by keeping close contact with the University of California Students Association, which is a coalition of student representatives from all nine campuses of the university.”

There also is a student advisory panel. It includes one graduate and one undergraduate student from each University of California campus. It suggests what qualifications the new president should possess.

Prof. Lau, who has been at Stanford University for many years, said, “I think it is common to have students participating in the decision making.”

Students at the Chinese University may soon get what they want, if what Prof. Lau said comes true.

“I will listen to public opinions if I become the vice-chancellor,” said Prof. Lau at his first meeting with students.

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