For firm views on university governance, look no farther than Belarus, and President Alexander Lukashenka. He has just issued a decree on the Belarussian State University which gives him the right to appoint and dismiss the rector of the university, who was previously elected by university members. The decree begins with a preamble starting: "With the aim of further democratising higher education. . ." However, President Lukashenka is clearly the man to have on your side in the publish or perish academic environment. The decree is his 342nd in 26 months in power.