Student involmement in university governance: A need for negotiated educational aims?

Abstract

The paper argues for the need to increase student participation in university governance, especially in relation to high-level decision-making concerning the aims and mission of tertiary institutions. The paper examines the arguments in favour of, and against, student participation in university governance. It also provides an overview of the findings of recent empirical studies on the topic. The need for a process of negotiation in the setting of higher education aims is emphasised and several suggestions are offered regarding ways of increasing student involvement in the aims-setting process. © 2003 Kluwer Academic Publishers. Printed in the Netherlands.