[Editorial] Direct Election for President of University Has Many Problems

Even academic society also somehow agrees that direct elections for the President of University are not suitable in our society.

Most of the Universities induced direct election system for the President taking stream of democratization to latter 1980`s, however severe ill effects appeared after its practice.

Election of the President of a university ran in to overheated confusion like political world and professors were divided by regionalism and academic relations.

The reason why most private universities withdrew direct election system and changed into indirect elections or appointment by foundation currently, are due to experience and self- reflection.

Recently, side effects surrounding direct election for the President are appearing in academic world.

Seoul National University is in midst of election campaign for the sake of selecting the President through direct elections, following mid term resignation by former President Lee Ki-jun.

As up to 10 candidates are being recommended, the overheated atmosphere causes concern.

And Koryo University`s situation is also deplorable as it shows strange aspect of `two Presidents in one University `, as foundation selected President through its regulations and Professor`s association also selected President separately.

Many universities in the world are recruiting outside personnel, who have capacity for management, as the President, avoiding inner selection.

If he is a must, universities recruit him as the President even if he is not from university professor background.

Some universities do not apply the age- limit system of professor for the President.

Likewise, each nation set out to nominate the President with `open mind` in order to reinforce competition among universities.

On the contrary, to stick to direct election system from internal personnel of some universities is closed anachronism.

It is calculated that 37 among total of 38 public universities and 13 among 150 private universities selected direct election system in domestic.

Ministry of Education had announced to withdraw direct election system from public universities two years back, but it wasn`t able to achieve this goal due to protest by professors.

Reformation of university is a social task that can`t be postponed anymore and its centrifugal point is the President of a university.

However, the experience says that the President who is selected by direct election finds hard to display resolute promotion in university as he has no option but to be conscious of professors who selected him.

It is needed to take the initiative from SNU by itself, which has been criticized for its insufficient reformation that gives up direct election system in this opportunity of criticism on it.

Educational authorities should put measures in to practice for withdrawal of direct election system from public universities.

Private universities should not waste power in campus politics, too.