The HE restructuring regime is predictably awful, subjecting institutions to predictably ideological, short-sighted and damaging changes that could leave our HE landscape diminished. Some (probably naive) thoughts on things institutions at risk might do to avoid it.

1. Embrace that civic mission, and build up the support of local communities by harnessing the power of the institution to make a positive difference to the lives of local people, economically, socially and culturally.

2. Think proactively & selflessly about what collaborations, federations and alliances can help protect the institution. With other HEIs, FE, employers. This requires honesty, humility and a shared commitment to the wider purpose of enriching and empowering society.

3. The way government assesses “low quality courses” is terrible. Let’s find a better way of showing what benefits students get from & other services eg employability & lifelong learning. And if there are any where there isn’t sufficient benefit, do something about them.

4. Take the sting out of the culture war by finding ways for differences to be discussed civilly & constructively, so those arguing in good faith can move forward & bad faith mischief makers get marginalised. I had some thoughts about how to do that here http://educationblog.shma.co.uk/archive/2018/11/28/Free-speech-on-campus-moving-the-conversation-forward.aspx

5. Of course institutions in financial distress may have to cut things or sell stuff, but defend what matters to your staff and students as much as possible. They *are* the institution and without their support, there may not be an institution to save.

6. Finally, values matter so much in times of organisational distress. They can guide the right choices, allow difficult decisions to be made in a respectful way, and ensure what emerges is something people can be proud of.

I know none of this is easy, but far better that institutions do these things than have a future forced on them by “Business Review Advisors” and the Secretary of State.