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Dear Vice Chancellor,
We are writing to express our disappointment at the lack of openness and transparency concerning the discussions between you and Navitas, a private sector educational firm. There have been several requests, made by the recognised trade unions, to share information and enter into discussions about the proposed use of Navitas at MMU. You have stated that you cannot discuss this issue as, in order to receive a draft contract from Navitas, you “had to” sign a confidentiality agreement. You have also stated that this agreement was initiated by Navitas and is designed to protect their commercial interests.
We find the decision to sign such a confidentiality agreement a poor managerial judgement, the impact of which is that you cannot have an open discussion with MMU staff concerning the use of a private sector firm to deliver courses at MMU. One of the major concerns when dealing with private sector firms is a lack of transparency and accountability. You will then appreciate our alarm that even before a contract has been signed with Navitas there is this amount of secrecy. In addition, we are faced with a private firm dictating the terms on which the university is run.
Therefore, we call on you to withdraw from the confidentiality agreement with Navitas and enter into meaningful negotiations and discussions with university staff and the recognised trade unions to address any underlying issues.
UCU BRANCH MMU - UNISON BRANCH MMU - GMB BRANCH MMU.
22 September 2008
We are writing to express our disappointment at the lack of openness and transparency concerning the discussions between you and Navitas, a private sector educational firm. There have been several requests, made by the recognised trade unions, to share information and enter into discussions about the proposed use of Navitas at MMU. You have stated that you cannot discuss this issue as, in order to receive a draft contract from Navitas, you “had to” sign a confidentiality agreement. You have also stated that this agreement was initiated by Navitas and is designed to protect their commercial interests.
We find the decision to sign such a confidentiality agreement a poor managerial judgement, the impact of which is that you cannot have an open discussion with MMU staff concerning the use of a private sector firm to deliver courses at MMU. One of the major concerns when dealing with private sector firms is a lack of transparency and accountability. You will then appreciate our alarm that even before a contract has been signed with Navitas there is this amount of secrecy. In addition, we are faced with a private firm dictating the terms on which the university is run.
Therefore, we call on you to withdraw from the confidentiality agreement with Navitas and enter into meaningful negotiations and discussions with university staff and the recognised trade unions to address any underlying issues.
UCU BRANCH MMU - UNISON BRANCH MMU - GMB BRANCH MMU.
22 September 2008
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