Latvia

Organisational autonomy: medium low

Universities must follow a series of regulations regarding their governance – an external authority confirms both the appointment and dismissal of the executive head, whose selection criteria are set in law. A maximum term of office is also prescribed. Universities are not permitted to include external members in their governing bodies. They can decide on their academic structures and create legal entities.

Financial autonomy: high

Internal allocation of funds received from the annual block grant is now up to the universities, and there is greater freedom to borrow funds and keep surpluses. Public universities may also own real estate, and now sell previously state-owned buildings with permission. Universities are able to decide on tuition fees for those students who do not have state-funded study places.

Academic autonomy: medium low

Universities decide on fee-paying student numbers. They co-regulate admission criteria at Bachelor level and are in control of admissions at Master level. There are multiple levels of accreditation, limitations on language of instruction, and constraints on the development of the content of the academic programmes.

Staffing autonomy: high

Universities can recruit and set salaries for their senior academic and administrative staff; however, minimum salaries are set by the state for academic staff and restrictions have been implemented nationally for administrative staff. Dismissals are subject to regular labour law and universities can promote senior administrative staff freely. Promotions for academic staff are constrained by the mandatory periodical re-opening of academic positions.