Another factor is the greater expenditure in the USA for external qualifications of their employees. More workers and employees get higher and continuing education funded by their companies. The council claims that academics have a right to take part in all decision making processes in their institutions. The report says that there is evidence that staff are not informed on decisions made in finance, staff selection and promotion. All academics should have access to agendas, minutes and papers on decisions made at the institution.
Staff assemblies where all members can voice their opinions on maters of policy are rare.
The situation is typical of higher education institutions the world over. The question is whether open decision making is going to improve academic environments in times of scarce resources. Real term reductions are of the order of 7 per cent for the coming year and a further reduction of 12 percent in 1988. A squeeze of 9 percent in student grants, an increase in student loan rates, and a squeeze on staff payments. This is partly offset by an increase in vocational training and apprenticeships.