SNU Committee on Incorporation has unveiled a draft of its plan to transform its governance structure into one of s corporate entity by July 2010.

The Committee was organized by senior staff last October and has been brainstorming on the plan. They said that inefficiencies and a tight budget are key grounds for the move.

The Committee recommended that the university abolish the tradition of professors electing the university president and form a group called the “President Search Committee.”

If the President Search Committee recommends multiple candidates, its board members will make the final choice. The university president may or may not assume the post as head of the board.

It was the government that selected presidents of national universities before Korea began its democratic process in the late 1980s. But many national universities have since changed the selection process to a direct faculty vote, accommodating demands for democratization on campus.

“Problems have constantly been pointed out about the election system. It has caused factionalism among professors and candidates have made empty promises,” said Ju Jong-nam, SNU Dean of Planning and Development.

Another major change will be providing incentives to professors who show outstanding research achievements and teaching skills. In this way, the university aims to attract world-renowned academics. Under the new system, some talented professors with relatively less teaching experience could earn more than the president.

Currently, SNU professors are paid by the government and most of the employees of the university are classified as public servants.

Regarding how SNU will manage the funds required for the operation, the committees said it will raise money publicly and operate a variety of for-profit businesses.

Education Ministry official Ye Hye-ran said the government has no plans to downsize financial aid to SNU, given that its reform is for the sake of enhancing efficiency.

Japan’s University of Tokyo, one of almost 100 national universities there, went through similar reform in 2004.

Seoul National is scheduled to hold a public hearing and conduct a poll on the matter. It aims to confirm the final bill by around the middle of next month.

March 26, 2009
SNU PR Office