Abstract

The on-going reform process of the Italian university system is causing a progressive stiffening of the project spaces granted to universities. This is a direct consequence of the controlled autonomy system and of the hyper-regulation that stifles the accreditation of courses and universities. The law n. 240 of 2010 has given a strong acceleration to this process of renewal, which has affected every aspect of university life, including students' participation in academic decision-making processes, since universities are expected to show greater consideration for the educational and functional needs of young people. The birth of joint committees composed of students and academics exemplifies the attempt to turn students into proactive actors, following both the latest interactional habits inside and outside the academic spaces, and the participative demands of the liquid society. This is the reason why the new communicative covenant among universities, students and professional actors should play a strategic role; one that is based on transparency, merit, and quality, which are inescapable goals of the umpteenth reform that the Italian university system must implement at zero cost.