Hungarian University reforms on trial: Boards of trustees and the paradox of University autonomy

Abstract

This study investigates the possible negative effects that boards of trustees (BoTs) of private universities have on academic autonomy. Over time, Western universities have developed a model with a reasonable degree of shared responsibility between BoTs and the university community. Recently, Hungarian public universities that are transitioning to a private model have been learning how to better share responsibility between BoTs and their universities. This study aims to devise a new test of academic autonomy based on an analysis of the experience of the QS top 100 universities with BoTs. This test will help to reach a better understanding of the situation of the 21 Hungarian public universities recently transformed by the government into private institutions. Examining these Hungarian cases may enrich theoretical and legal debates on the effect of BoTs on the academic autonomy of private universities, although this may in turn lead to further paradoxes.