Il sistema della governance universitaria italiana tra principi costituzionali e mutamenti istituzionali

Focusing on the “macro” or “systemic” level of governance, this essay provides a detailed examination of the institutional architecture of the Italian higher education system. In particular, the analysis begins with the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), tracing its historical evolution and complex organizational framework. It then proceeds to investigate the roles of central advisory and auxiliary bodies, such as the National University Council (CUN) and the National Council of University Students (CNSU). The study also encompasses institutions responsible for evaluation, including the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research (ANVUR) and the National Committee for the Evaluation of Research (CNVR), alongside associative bodies with some institutional functions, namely the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI) and the Conference of General Directors of University Administrations (CODAU). By dissecting the functions and interplay of these actors, the essay highlights the critical issues within the current governance model and, ultimately, argues for a renewed discussion that reconciles the demands of centralized system coordination with the constitutional principle of autonomy