A New Era Begins 1975-78

preserving the diverse traditions embedded in the evolution of the post-secondary colleges. We are convinced that they have, and we believe that this should be recognized by ensuring, as an act of ‘ wisdom as well as gratitude, that one representative of each of the present (or possibly re-constituted) Boards of Governors/Trustees should find an ex-officio seat on the University Council. It is reasonable, too, that they should remain Trustees of the assets which the individual Colleges brought wi th them into the University and still retain. We recommend, however, that this should be the extent of their authority within the University. Thus in pursuing the Working Party's concern for academic participation in the Governance of the University, the Fulton Commission reached the historic conclusion that fundamental statutory changes were necessary to insure the future progress of the University. On the Integration of Departments As to the second recommendation of the Working Party, namely the integration of the departments of study, the Commission quickly reaffirmed the need for such integration in order to make better use of resources and to strengthen the character and quality of the academic staff in the respective disciplines. However the Commission had serious reservations on the question of how this integration is to be effected and the university-wide departments re-assigned. It will be recalled that the Working Party had considered three possible lines for restructuring the Colleges: (a) Department-based; (b) Faculty-based; (c) Area-based studies. The Commission found itself " not hopeful of progress along any of these lines". The Commission expressed concern regarding the matter of the University's educational and fiscal responsibility and the authority and organization necessary to preserve its integrity and accountability as a true university. Colleges, the Commission maintains, cannot be given "complete academic control over a limited range of academic territory", for … to concede a monopoly of academic authority over a particular area of study to a college would concede to it university status in that field, because it is an attribute of a university to be the supreme authority in determining the range of studies to be offered; in setting the curricula appropriate to each level of study; in providing teaching and facilities for research; in appointing staff ； in conducting examinations and awarding degrees ； in laying down conditions of entry and in admitting students. If colleges enjoy real power within the area of the university's proper jurisdiction as so described, there is bound to be a serious risk of a frustrating and wasteful … contest of wills … rather than accept such a prospect it would be better, in the context of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, to recognize without further delay that the conditions for a continuing role for the Colleges no longer exist. 21