The draft law stresses that the university is “an independent body, with legal personality, successive capacity, and general seal.”
It states that “no state agencies, regular forces, or semi-regular forces may enter the campus under the pretext of the public order, any security or criminal reasons, or prosecution for any claim related to freedom of thought, research, or political action, without permission from the university director or his/her authorised representative.”
It also gives the university the right to sue.
Academic Research Freedom
The draft law says faculty members, employees, and students enjoy freedom of thought and belief, can conduct research, and may not be discriminated against on campus or during any university activities. It also states that no person can be prevented from attending the university or holding a job there based on religion, race, gender, intellect, or disability, except as required by the nature of the study or work.
The University Council
The draft law creates a University Council consisting of a president and a deputy from outside the university and 12 other members. Those members include four deans of faculties, institutes or other academic units; two university faculty members chosen by the Professors Council; two non-faculty staff members; heads of the university’s legal union bodies; the president of the university students’ union; and an alumni representative.
The University Council will also include 12 members from outside the university, with academic competence and experience. The outside members will be chosen based on recommendations from the Professors Council.
The University Council will be responsible for the university’s academic, administrative, and financial performance, and may take whatever decisions it deems appropriate to achieve the university’s goals.
The council’s responsibilities include setting policies and determining the numbers of students to be admitted and their academic specialisations.
The draft law states that the University Council is responsible to the National Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The law also requires that “every member of the University Council who has a direct or indirect interest in any matter or subject under consideration before the Council shall declare that interest to the Council. The member should not participate in the deliberations, make a recommendation, or make a decision in that matter or subject.”
Professors Council