Critics of what they see as the lack of autonomy of the University of Copenhagen in the wake of a recent probe are not alone in their dismay. The European University Association (EUA) has released a report, which criticises European universities’ lack of financial independence. This is reported by University World News. And opposition parties in Denmark, say it’s all about the government earmarking the money.<\/p>\n
Many governments, the European Commission and the university world itself have recognised that independence for universities is a significant and necessary step towards modernisation. Still, little is done to help make it happen.<\/p>\n
\u00bbPublic authorities still play too central a role in the regulation of the higher education system and, in a large number of countries, still exert direct control.\u00ab says the report, which covers 33 European countries.<\/p>\n
Half of the universities do not even own the rights to their own buildings, and that even the ones that do, often cannot sell them without consent from the government, the report describes.<\/p>\n
In 26 of the 33 countries, public funding has come in the form of block grants. This has meant that universities have been unable to use the money as they saw fit. <\/p>\n
The University of Copenhagen (U of C) is to make budget cuts equivalent to 130 staff members this year. The problem behind it, according to Kirsten Brosb\u00f8l, research spokesperson from the Social Democrat Party, is the so-called ‘earmarked’ grants:<\/p>\n
\u00bbThe thing that the universities are crying out for \u2013 and this isn\u2019t just the University of Copenhagen, it goes for many \u2013 is an increase in grants that aren\u2019t earmarked, so that it is possible to plan further ahead,\u00ab said Kirsten Brosb\u00f8l at the Danish Government\u2019s question time in early December 2009.<\/p>\n
She pointed out what Rector Ralf Hemmingsen of the U of C had explained to staff in the letter announcing the budget cuts \u2013 that making funding reliant on earmarked grants and funds, means that the university cannot expect to see all the money.<\/p>\n