Oxford University to end self governance

London, Jun 2 (UNI) Oxford University could end almost 900 years of self-governance, according to a new plan, which sets out measures to reduce the size of the governing council from 26 to 15, with a majority of members coming from outside the university for the first time in its history.

Business leaders, politicians and other public figures would be invited to join the council, which would operate as a board of governors overseeing the running of Oxford, a White Paper, published yesterday, said.

The plans put forward by a working party led by Dr John Hood, the Vice-Chancellor, is facing opposition from academics, who argue that Oxford should not surrender its independence to outsiders.

''Reform of Oxford governance structures is vital for its future as a world-class university. The proposals will be put to Congregation, Oxford's ''parliament'', for consideration in the autumn,'' he said.

The working party has said Lord Patten of Barnes, the Chancellor of the university, would chair the new council in his personal capacity for the first five years. Lay members from outside would occupy seven seats, with seven internal representatives. But Lord Patten would be replaced by an external member when his term expired, creating a majority from outside the university.

A nominations committee would be set up, with a majority of members from Congregation, to seek out external candidates. It would forward to Congregation the names of those selected for approval.

An academic board of 35-members would also be created, with responsibility for administering academic affairs. It would be accountable to the council and would draw a majority of members from Congregation and the university's colleges.

''The changes that are envisaged have a major goal, to help Oxford to remain a pre-eminent university throughout the 21st century and beyond. We have to change to remain what we are,'' Dr Hood said.

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