Tartu University council puts reform plans on hold

Photo: Margus Ansu

At its meeting yesterday, University of Tartu council opted not to ratify the university’s new statutes prescribing four large faculties instead of the current nine. Neither, however, did the council veto the statues, said chairman of it, Court of Auditors member Kersti Kaljulaid.

«While in Estonian media one gets the impression that all the council had was two options – to approve the project or veto it –, in reality the council is not that limited in its decisions,» said Ms Kaljulaid.

According to her, that’s how the council opted to treat the amendments to statutes recently discussed. «Back then, we formulated our standpoints regarding the draft projects and went and discussed it with the senate. At that time, we did it as a joint session; this time also, we will find a way to discuss the issues with the senate,» said Ms Kaljulaid. By the senate of Tartu University, the new statutes have already been approved.

Ms Kaljulaid added that all council members supported the management structure reform described in the draft statutes; even so, the council – just as the Estonian public – finds names and identities of faculties very important. «The council thinks the senate could consider various variants to satisfy all sides; surely, such versions exist while sticking with the management model offered,» said Ms Kaljulaid.

The council proposed that the senate weigh new academic name versions supportive of current facilities’ identities.

The council proposed the senate four possible solutions with the names. Thus, an institute might use the word «faculty» in its name as an academic unit. Also, names of faculties to be created might be lengthened: for instance, instead of social faculty, the new name might be «legal and social faculty». As another version, instead of the large faculties, domains might be used, under which fall the institutes or faculties and colleges. As a mixed version, the proposed the option of social and humanitarian sciences would form domains and natural, real and medical sciences would be called faculties.

The senate’s next session will be on June 20^th when, among other things, decisions will be taken regarding names proposed by the council. Thereafter, the council has till June 30^th to ratify the statutes approved by senate.

The loudest to publicly protest merger of faculties were law students who think it unacceptable for Tartu University to forfeit a standalone law faculty, which would become a part of social faculty. 

According to law faculty dean Jaan Ginter, the council seems to have sought middle ground. «For us, nothing is offered,» said Mr Ginter and added that it is not the name they are worried about, rather competencies to take decision. «It is not OK with us for the faculty to lose its competency to decide,» said he.

«We hoped they would come to the substance, which is discussing competence to decide; the press release, however, shows all they dealt with is the form. Too early to say what exactly we will do now; but one thing is certain: we will not give in yet. First, we must find out what exactly happened at the council,» said Jaan Ginter.