Release of the UTS Governance Project Draft Report

The UTS Governance Project is pleased to release its draft report for public consultation. 

University governance refers to the structures, processes, and decision-making systems that guide how a university fulfils its mission, manages risks, allocates resources, and remains accountable to its community. Good governance matters because it directly shapes academic quality, workplace culture, student learning, and the public purpose of higher education.

This report presents the results of one of the most extensive community-led listening processes undertaken at UTS, involving contributions from more than 450 staff, students, alumni, and stakeholders. Participants shared their experiences and perspectives on governance, transparency, consultation, workplace culture, equity, and the impacts of recent change initiatives. Their insights have informed a series of evidence-based recommendations aimed at strengthening trust, accountability, community participation, and alignment with UTS’s public mission.

The report outlines four priority recommendations:

• Halt the Operational Sustainability Initiative (OSI) and commission an independent financial audit and risk review, including evaluation of the alternative plan developed by UTS Business School academics.
  
• Undertake a review of senior leadership, in response to widespread loss of confidence and concerns about transparency, accountability, and centralisation of decision-making.
  
• Reform the UTS Council through amendments to the University of Technology Sydney Act 1989 (NSW) to strengthen accountability, democratic representation, and alignment with the public mission of the university.
  
• Commission an independent performance and governance audit by the Audit Office of NSW.

The draft report is now available for review, and we invite all members of the UTS community—to provide feedback. This consultation process is designed to help refine and strengthen the final recommendations before the report is submitted to key decision-makers and shared with external stakeholders. We thank everyone who has contributed so far and welcome further engagement as we continue this important work together.

Download the report