Further politicization of the University of Maine System is a mistake. But it may be one the Legislature is unwilling to avoid.

L.D. 1241, misnamed “An Act To Ensure Public Accountability in the Delivery of Higher Education Services,” would force university trustees and the chancellor to present any plan “to reorganize the academic or administrative structure of the university” to the Legislature for approval.

The bill does nothing to improve accountability; instead, it opens the door for the Legislature to micromanage the governance of the state’s university system. Its broad language could force the system to seek political approval before making even small changes in the structure of various oversight or academic functions. Under the bill, an effort to merge two similar academic disciplines – or even to combine the administrative support for two departments – could require legislative approval.

During a work session on Tuesday, Chancellor Joseph Westphal and Charles Johnson III, chairman of the board of trustees, testified against the bill.

Johnson, according to his prepared testimony, addressed the historical context of the system’s creation in 1968. The desire was to remove important decisions about programs and funding from the parochial and political battlegrounds of the Legislature.

This legislation is a direct response to a comprehensive restructuring plan presented by the chancellor and trustees last year. Originally, they planned to merge the University of Southern Maine and the University of Maine at Augusta, and to consolidate the administration of the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Machias and Presque Isle. Political pressure was intense and the changes were scrapped.

Lawmakers have plenty of tools at their disposal when they dislike university plans. Members of the board of trustees are appointed by the governor and must be confirmed by the Legislature, which gives members an opportunity to hold hearings and discuss their views on the future of the state’s universities.

Another example: Inserted into the budget this year was language that forbade the university system from going forward with its plans to merge UMA and USM or to change the names of any of the campuses.

The Legislature has enough to worry about without taking on the management of the state’s universities. By politicizing the system even more, L.D. 1241 would make significant reform almost impossible.