An overwhelming majority approves the Statute that opens up a new way of understanding the university
Today was a historic day for the University of Barcelona with the approval of the new Statute by the University Senate. The text lays the foundations for the transformation of the UB in line with the challenges of the 21st century and prepares it to face the future with the utmost assurance. The new articles received 156 votes in favour, 6 against and 6 blank votes. The Statute must now be approved by the Government of Catalonia before it can come into force.
Today was a historic day for the University of Barcelona with the approval of the new Statute by the University Senate. The text lays the foundations for the transformation of the UB in line with the challenges of the 21st century and prepares it to face the future with the utmost assurance. The new articles received 156 votes in favour, 6 against and 6 blank votes. The Statute must now be approved by the Government of Catalonia before it can come into force.
The new text has been developed intensively for more than 18 months, throughout a deeply participatory process organized into five phases. A committee made up of representatives from the PTGAS, the PDI and the student body has worked on its articles, as well as on the amendments and comments contributed by the entire community.
The LOSU (2023) requires universities to approve new statutes, and by approving this text, the UB not only fulfils the legal mandate, but also seizes the opportunity to advance in its mission: beyond the traditional pairing of teaching and research, transfer, innovation and dissemination take on a new dimension.
The rector of the University of Barcelona, Joan Guàrdia, recalled Professor Jordi Solé Tura and compared his thinking on constitutional law with the process of drafting the new Statute: “Defining a rule does not always mean accepting all its elements, but it does involve working together in solidarity, looking out for the common good and preserving fundamental rights. Today we have approved a text that is the highest expression of what university autonomy means.” He added that the Statute opens up a new way of understanding the university and of doing things that had not been done before: “We have created a statute that is very different from other university statutes, a well-deserved exercise in tolerance and responsibility.” Along the same lines, the vice-rector for Organization and Governance, Elena Lauroba, noted that the approved text “can help to fulfil the missions entrusted to the university in a time of uncertainty and upheaval.”
Teaching and research, the crown jewels
Teaching, the university’s flagship activity, is reinforced by the Statute, which recognizes the University of Barcelona’s presence as a defining feature, while at the same time opening it up to hybrid learning systems aimed at reaching a larger number of students and internationalizing the student body.
Regarding research — and in line with the UB’s definition as a research-intensive university, which supports its position at the top of the main international rankings — the Statute organizes research according to the different actors involved, highlighting departments and recognizing the role of faculties and research institutes in developing strategic policies that lead to consolidation and strengthening within the university.
A unified and diverse university community
The new articles emphasize that the university’s main strength lies in its community. It therefore regulates its essence in a single title that sets out the common rights, duties and interests in the first chapter, before analysing the specific characteristics of each group in a dedicated chapter. The Statute defines the members of the UB as students, academic and technical staff, management staff, and administrative and service staff. It then mentions other members of the university community, with specific reference to alumni and the Ateneu, as well as individuals who have been awarded honorary doctorates. Finally, it mentions those groups with which the UB has special ties, such as students enrolled in affiliated centres or in programmes offered by the University of Barcelona Group and their staff, at institutions with which it has intensive research relationships, and teaching collaborators.
The PTGAS gains weight
A significant new development is the increased representation of technical, management, administrative and service staff (PTGAS) in the university’s governing bodies and in the election of the Rector. This increases the weight of this group from 10% to 14%. There are also plans to draw up a future PTGAS statute outlining their rights and duties and other aspects, such as the structure of their career path.
On the other hand, the institution’s values are reinforced, along with their embodiment in its guiding principles and the behaviour that should govern its members. Specifically, the role of ethics — and integrity — in research and the role of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit as a basic unit are emphasized.
A new way to resolve internal conflicts
The Statute also recognizes “appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms” as the standard means of managing internal conflicts. This involves offering the university community the opportunity to resolve disagreements through mediation or other alternative procedures. It is a tool for fostering healthy coexistence and respect among members of the university through methods that prioritize dialogue and agreement between the parties involved.
Finally, the Statute lays the foundations for governance that will ensure more efficient operations and emphasizes the key principles of integrity, good governance, transparency and accountability. As one of the objectives is to improve the agility of the Governing Council, a technical committee on regulations and internal functioning has been created, chaired by the Secretary General, which will meet every month to approve the agreements and regulations of the centres and other structures. It also recognizes the UB Group, composed of fully consolidated foundations and other types of instrumental entities that operate under the values and principles set out in the Statute.
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The rector Joan Guàrdia.
