Position statement by the Association of Professors of the University of Luxembourg (APUL) on bill no. 7132 concerning the organization of the University of Luxembourg
For a reasoned reform of the university leading to greater transparency and democracy in its internal functioning
The Association of Professors of the University of Luxembourg notes the will of the government to adapt the legislative framework regarding the University of Luxembourg to the demands occasioned by the development of the institution since its creation in 2003. In less than 15 years, the university has found its place in Luxembourgish society and positioned itself as an internationally recognized institution enjoying success in global rankings. This remarkable development undoubtedly calls for a period of reflection on the way in which the university functions. Yet, by making the choice to distance itself from the democratic mode of functioning of academic institutions, the law does not rise to the challenges posed by the future development of the university. In effect, far from drawing the lessons of the crisis experienced by the university and linked to the powers attributed to the rector and his team, the project maintains an approach to the model of governance conceived before the crisis. This approach, which concentrates decisional power in certain hands, does not permit the harmonious exercise of power within the university placed under the guiding principles of transparency and democracy.
APUL, on the contrary, believes that the text may lead to future crises stemming from the over concentration of decision-making authority and its lack of engagement with both academic faculty and students. We believe the proposed law to be deficient particularly insofar as it:
- Organizes a concentration of powers in the hands of the rectorate and of the governing board (in the majority composed of academics based outside of Luxembourg), without envisaging an opening to the university community itself, exhibiting a certain disregard for the members of that community;
- Modifies the role of the university council, turned into a simple rubber stamp (a weak representation of the faculties and centres; only an advisory role despite this body being anchored in the realities of the national context);
- Provides for the nomination of deans by the governing board on the proposition of the rector and the abolition of faculty councils, depriving the faculties of all democratic representation and the possibility of fully playing their role;
- Includes in the law problematic provisions concerning the evaluation and exclusion of students undertaking bachelor’s, master’s, and specialized medical studies.
Given these observations, APUL supports the legal opinion published by Professor Luc Heuschling (http://orbilu.uni.lu/handle/10993/33030) and calls for a public debate engaging the university community and civil society so as to ensure that the new law will be informed by a thoroughgoing process of democratic reflection and will be anchored in the realities of the Luxembourgish academic context.