ST: Unpretentious and familiar with the rules and regulations
As the top messenger of all staff policy decisions, the vice-chancellor is a very import person for Evalena Moser, chair of the Union of Civil Servants at the University. She would like an unpretentious vice-chancellor and someone who recognises the importance of all parts of the University.
For a union representative, things are also easier if the vice-chancellor is familiar with the rules and regulations that apply to a public authority and the higher education sector in particular.
“And someone who is meticulous about ensuring that the organisation abides by the regulations and agreements it has entered into”, she says.
Evalena Moser represents approximately 1 100 staff who are members of the ST/OFR-S union, and a lot of her work concerns negotiations with the employer whose top representative is the vice-chancellor. She is hoping for a vice-chancellor who has experience of negotiating with different parties, and who can meet the union representatives as parties and not as opponents.
She is also keen for a vice-chancellor who protects the democratic and collegial leadership as well as academic freedom in both research and education.
“It is important that we never become a research institute for the business sector”, she says. “And the vice-chancellor must be able to convince wider society about the societal benefits of a free university.”
A democratic organisation that promotes critical thinking benefits from good employment terms, hence the importance of discouraging all forms of insecure appointment.
“Doctoral studentships and associate senior lectureships are steps in the right direction”, says Evalena Moser.
Furthermore, the vice-chancellor must also be aware of the significant challenge regarding gender equality and equal opportunities.
“Because how else will we be able to reflect society if we do not uphold these values?”
