The Royal Society to the People, Also Too, Bill

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

WHEREAS the role of the Royal Society for the Advancement of Knowledge, viz. conducting and promoting academic study is vitally important;
and
WHEREAS we have had problems for years keeping the Royal Society not only staffed, but active and actually functioning; and
WHEREAS the power of the elected Government to make this happen is attenuated due to the Royal Society being part of the Royal Household, and thus overseen by the King rather than the Seneschál and Ministers, and;
WHEREAS the King of Talossa clearly has better things to do with his time than actively oversee the activity of officials of the Royal Household, and;
WHEREAS in civilised countries science and education are the responsibility of the elected government, and since we don't have a Ministry of Science or Education, Culture is closest; and
WHEREAS cut-and-paste is a beautiful thing:

BE IT ENACTED by the King, Cosâ and Senäts of Talossa in Ziu assembled as follows:

1. Title C, Section 1.8 of El Lexhátx, reading as follows:

The Royal Society for the Advancement of Knowledge, headed by the President of the Royal Society. The function of the Royal Society is to conduct and promote research and academic study in all areas of human endeavor. (48RZ20)

1.8.1 Schools may be created within the Society for the purpose of focusing on a specific subject. The exact procedure for establishing a school shall be chosen by the President, who shall also appoint a dean to supervise each school.

is hereby deleted.

2. A new section of El Lexhátx, to be numbered as Title D, Section 2.7.3, to be added as follows, to the list of bodies under the Ministry of Culture:

2.7.3. The Royal Society for the Advancement of Knowledge, headed by the President of the Royal Society. The function of the Royal Society is to conduct and promote research and academic study in all areas of human endeavor. (48RZ20)

2.7.3.1 Schools may be created within the Society for the purpose of focusing on a specific subject. The exact procedure for establishing a school shall be chosen by the President, who shall also appoint a dean to supervise each school.

Uréu q'estadra så:
Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN, MC

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Anyone want to request another one of these while I'm on the job? I know the A-G is considering Bar reform so I'll leave that. Honestly I would want the Post Office to come under Finance, the Chancery to be directly responsible to the Seneschál (since the Seneschál appoints him anyway), Royal Archives under Culture and Civil Service under Interior. That would leave the College of Arms and Poet Laureate under the King, where they can't do any harm.

[Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun]

I really hate taking away all of this from the Royal Household, but what needs to be done, needs to be done.
This bill has my support.

[Eðo Grischun]

WHEREAS in civilised countries science and education are the responsibility of the elected government, and since we don't have a Ministry of Science or Education, Culture is closest;

Generally, though, the actual Universities themselves are not usually under direct Executive ownership. Why not use the powers already available to simply create a new Ministry of Science and/or Education which can set national education policy and curriculums?

[Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun]

Feb 6, 2017 18:34:52 GMT -6 Eðo Grischun said:

WHEREAS in civilised countries science and education are the responsibility of the elected government, and since we don't have a Ministry of Science or Education, Culture is closest;

Generally, though, the actual Universities themselves are not usually under direct Executive ownership. Why not use the powers already available to simply create a new Ministry of Science and/or Education which can set national education policy and curriculums?

Would a Ministry of Science/Education not be under Executive ownership itself?

[Ian Plätschisch]

Feb 6, 2017 18:34:52 GMT -6 Eðo Grischun said:

WHEREAS in civilised countries science and education are the responsibility of the elected government, and since we don't have a Ministry of Science or Education, Culture is closest;

Generally, though, the actual Universities themselves are not usually under direct Executive ownership. Why not use the powers already available to simply create a new Ministry of Science and/or Education which can set national education policy and curriculums?

I really dont think we need another cabinet level position just to oversee the University

[Eðo Grischun]

Would a Ministry of Science/Education not be under Executive ownership itself?

Yes, but that's ok, because Ministries are political by default. The bricks and mortar of a university, the actual institution itself, should remain separate from the political arena. Leave it where it is.

Set political policy properly via a Ministry rather than usurping and sacking the University.

[Eðo Grischun]

Feb 6, 2017 19:26:23 GMT -6 Ian Plätschisch said:

Feb 6, 2017 18:34:52 GMT -6 Eðo Grischun said:

Generally, though, the actual Universities themselves are not usually under direct Executive ownership. Why not use the powers already available to simply create a new Ministry of Science and/or Education which can set national education policy and curriculums?

I really dont think we need another cabinet level position just to oversee the University

If it doesn't warrant a new Ministry (or even a Bureau) then why even bother trying to fold the Royal Society into the Ministry structure? If there's no point then what's the point?

[Magniloqueu Épiqeu da Lhiun]

Well, I agree that we would need a Ministry of Education. There is little education going on at the moment, and I would like to see any Talossan government not just legislating. The point, Eðo, is that, at the moment, the Royal Society etc. etc. is inactive, because its President is AWOL, which renders the Royal Society defunct. Or do you see anything happening?

[Eðo Grischun]

I agree, the Royal Society has suffered with poor activity, as much of Talossa has recently. Perhaps, making the President/Dean electable would go a ways?

Let me pose this future possibility. What if someone decides to establish a new private university or college? Surely, if you only roll the Royal Society into the Ministries then that future private organisation wouldn't need to follow any national educational policy (assuming all policies set would be written to effect the Royal Society only).

So, for future proofing, a new education ministry makes sense. Any educational policy set by a Ministry would apply to all educational institutions regardless of ownership.


But, let's call apples apples here. Fixing activity levels in the Uni is just this government's smokescreen for the deliberate dismantling of the Royal Household. By all means, create an educational policy to solve the activity levels, but don't pretend it can't be done without power grabbing from the Royal House.