The radical overhaul of UCD's academic structures is broadly welcome but still needs to be "bedded down", according to a report to be considered by the university's governing authority today.
A review by the independent European University Association says the degree of change pushed through by UCD president Dr Hugh Brady amounts to a "big bang" rather than "creeping incrementalism". Recent years in UCD have been "tumultuous".
The report suggests that much of the anger unleashed by the Brady reforms has now blown itself out. Earlier concerns about the threat to Newman's vision of the university do not appear to be current, it states.
But it also suggests that the reform process, which saw dozens of departments and several faculties abolished, has still to have the desired impact. Some more "organisational glue" is required, it suggests.
The report finds that some operating details have still to be worked through and avenues for consultation and involvement could be improved.
The report would like a smaller, more streamlined governing authority and academic council. Both bodies should, it signals, be more transparent - with a greater emphasis of "end of period evaluation" and resetting of priorities.
The report also proposes that UCD and the Higher Education Authority should agree on a three-year programme to guarantee funding levels and clarify how the university will deliver "national priorities".
The presentation to the governing authority today will be accompanied by a survey of staff, students and others complied by Mercator Market Research.
Most respondents accepted the need for a "shake-up" at UCD to improve the quality of education and to bolster its wider reputation.
But the survey also found widespread dissatisfaction with the patchy implementation of change over the past 2½ years.
While 21 per cent of staff participated, less than 4 per cent of students responded, apparently because the survey was taken during the summer months.
Last night, Mike Jennings, the general secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, said there was continued unease with new priorities at third level.
Academic excellence is the way forward not the pointless pursuit of "the market", he said.
