John Hood

Infobox University Vice-Chancellor
name =John Hood


caption =
order =295th
university =Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford
term_start =5 October 2004
term_end =30 September 2009
birth_date =birth date|1952|1|2|df=y
birth_place =Napier, New Zealand
death_date =
death_place =
predecessor =Sir Colin Renshaw Lucas
successor =Professor Andrew D. Hamilton
alumnus =Worcester College, Oxford
residence =
profession =
religion =
salary =£197,000
spouse =
children =
website =
footnotes =|

John Hood has been the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford since 5 October 2004. He is the first Vice-Chancellor to be elected from outside Oxford's academic body, and the first to have addressed the scholars' congregation via a webcast.cite news | last = MacLeod | first = Donald | title = Oxford head begins web charm offensive | publisher = Guardian | date = 2006-02-22 | url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1715515,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ] . On 15 November 2007 he announced that he would not seek an extension to his five-year term as Vice Chancellor, and that he will leave Oxford in September 2009 [cite web | title=Dr John Hood confirms his plans for completing his five-year term as Vice-Chancellor | url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2007/071115.html | accessdate = 2007-11-15 ] .

Early Life and Career in New Zealand

Born on January 2, 1952 in Napier, New Zealand, he attended Westlake Boys High School in Auckland, where a house has been named after him (Hood House). He studied engineering at the University of Auckland before going on to win a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford (Worcester College), where he studied management. He played first-class cricket for Oxford University in 1977.cite web | title=Cricinfo Cricket records | url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/14929.html | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ]

He has held a number of directorships in prominent New Zealand companies and bodies, including Fonterra, Fletcher Challenge and the New Zealand Cricket review of 1995. His career at Fletcher Challenge is described in the book Battle of the Titans by Bruce Wallace. From 1998 he was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland

Controversy at Oxford

Dr Hood's term as vice-chancellor of Oxford has been the subject of controversy and divided opinion. Dr Hood had proposed to reform the 900-year-old tradition of complete self-governance by introducing a number of external members to council, and by separating academic and financial boards.cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/6190469.stm?ls | title=Oxford dons reject finance reform | publisher=BBC News | date=2006-12-19 |accessdate=2007-01-04] The initial proposal called for a majority of external members of council, bringing Oxford into line with all other UK universities except the University of Cambridge.cite news | last = MacLeod | first = Donald | title = Oxford debate: both sides claim victory | publisher = Guardian | date = 2006-11-15 | url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/administration/story/0,,1948531,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ] Following a two-hour debate, the proposal was amended by Congregation to allow the election of a fellow insider to the council within five years, resulting in a majority of eight insiders (including the vice-chancellor) to the 15-member council. The amendment was supported by a majority of votes (657 to 502), with both supporters and opponents of the reforms claiming victory.

The amended proposal was brought to vote by Congregation on 28 November 2006, and was defeated by 730 to 456 votes.cite news | last = Lightfoot | first = Liz | title = Oxford dons reject plans for outside rule | publisher = Telegraph | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/28/uoxford128.xml | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ] A postal vote was called on 5 December, with ballots being sent to all 3000 members of Congregation and votes being accepted until 18 December.cite news | last = Smith | first = Alexandra | title = Oxford reforms face postal vote | publisher = Guardian | date = 2006-12-05 | url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1964395,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ] On 19 December it was announced that the proposal had once again been defeated, this time by 1540 to 997 votes.cite news | last = Smith | first = Alexandra | title = Oxford dons reject reform plans | publisher = Guardian | date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/administration/story/0,,1975328,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-19 ] Dr Hood stated that he would not treat the defeat as a vote of no confidence, citing a need to "put aside division, continue dialogue with all shades of opinion and, in an atmosphere of trust, tolerance and goodwill, promote the academic aims and ideals of Oxford".cite news | last = Hood | first = John | title = Full statement on rejection of Oxford's reform plans | publisher = Guardian | date = 2006-12-19 | url = http://education.guardian.co.uk/administration/story/0,,1975286,00.html | accessdate = 2006-12-19 ] cite news | last = Boone | first = Jon | title = Oxford chief moves to quash speculation | publisher = Financial Times | date = 2006-12-18 | url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/e84a4068-8e3b-11db-ae0e-0000779e2340.html | accessdate = 2006-12-18 ]

The proposed reform met with opposition not because it would invite outside opinion on the university's financial and academic decisions, but because of the impression that control would be wrested from Congregation, thus threatening the university's academic reputation. Furthermore, some opponents claimed that the reform would place too much power in the hands of the vice-chancellor.cite news | last = Henry | first = Julie | title = Passion in the cloisters as dons battle for the future of Oxford | publisher = Telegraph | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/11/12/nuni112.xml | accessdate = 2006-12-13 ] Other critics questioned the applicability of corporate models of governance in educational institutions.cite news | last=MacLeod | first=Donald | title=Oxford reform plans face opposition | publisher=Guardian | date=2005-04-25 | url=http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1469950,00.html | accessdate=2007-01-04 ] Lord Patten of Barnes has stated that without reforms to Oxford's governance it will be more difficult to raise money that the university needs to advance, particularly with respect to needs-based funding to support students from poorer backgrounds. Similarly, Hood has stated that the issue is not "whether there has to be change, but what kind of change."

Others have criticised the appointment of the Registrar, Julie Maxton, who is noted to be a former colleague of Hood. Julie Maxton was chosen for the position of Registrar by way of a selection committee including consultants, external members of council, and the vice-chancellor of Cambridge.

Comparisons have been drawn with Lawrence Summers, the 27th President of Harvard University, who announced his resignation on February 21 2006 following two motions of censure. Although individual academic staff have been critical of John Hoodcite news | title=No-confidence vote looms for Oxford vice-chancellor | publisher=Guardian | date=2006-02-02 | url=http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1700863,00.html | accessdate=2007-01-04 ] there has been no formal motion calling for his resignation. However, an informal letter of confidence organised by his supporters in February 2006 attracted around 50 signatories from Members of Congregation. Contested elections to the Council of the University by Congregation have resulted in the election of three leading critics of Dr Hood's proposals, namely Susan Cooper in 2005, Nicholas Bamforth in 2006cite web | title=Congregation Election 8 June | url=http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/elections/pastelect/tt06/080606/results/result0806.shtml | accessdate = 2007-05-12 ] and Donald Fraser who was elected unopposed, also in 2006.cite web | title=Uncontested Elections 23 November | url=http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/elections/pastelect/mt06/231106/nominations/uncontested231106.shtml | accessdate = 2007-05-10 .]

In June 2007 it was revealed that the University press office had been monitoring and editing comments in Hood's Wikipedia article in an attempt to protect his reputation.cite web | title=Press office monitor Hood's Wiki profile | url=http://www.cherwell.org/cherwell/content/view/1321/77/ | accessdate = 2008-05-30 ] In the same month, two further critics of Hood, Colin Thompsoncite web | title=Elections 7 June | url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/gazette/2006-7/weekly/140607/acts.htm#4Ref | accessdate = 2007-07-08 ] and Peter Robbins,cite web | title=Uncontested Elections 7 June | url=http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/elections/tt07/070607/results/uncontestcong0706.shtml | accessdate = 2007-07-08 ] were elected to the Council.

Andrew Hamilton, currently the Provost of Yale University, was nominated on 3 June 2008 to succeed John Hood as Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University from 1 October 2009, subject to approval by Congregation.cite web | title=Provost of Yale nominated as next Vice-Chancellor | url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2008/080603.html | accessdate = 2008-06-03 ] cite web | title=Statutes and Regulations:Regulations for University Officers | url=http://www.admin.ox.ac.uk/statutes/regulations/308-072.shtml#_Toc28139359| accessdate = 2008-06-03 ] His appointment was confirmed on 16 June 2008.cite web | title=Professor Andrew Hamilton confirmed as next Vice-Chancellor | url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2008/080616a.html | accessdate = 2008-06-18 ]

ee also

* List of Vice-Chancellors of the University of Oxford
* Lord Patten of Barnes, Chancellor of Oxford University

References

Bibliography

*

External links

* [http://www.ox.ac.uk/aboutoxford/vc.shtml Oxford University Vice-Chancellor information]
* [http://www.ox.ac.uk/medialibrary/webcasts/ Q and A to congregation]