My horsehair wig is perched on my office bookshelf as a reminder of the rights I fought for as a barrister and the equity and fairness I continue to strive for every day. Of course, nothing screams pomp and ceremony like that wig—or, indeed, the vice-chancellor’s robes I am now so honoured to wear at Western Sydney University.

Traditions like these have a place in modern Australia, but the institutions they are tied to are under siege here and overseas. This is as true for universities as it is for other public institutions. Chronic underfunding, excessive student fees (including $50,000 set by the Commonwealth for a basic arts degree) and revelations that many universities have underpaid their staff while setting very high salaries for senior executives, have eroded public confidence. Universities must win back the community’s trust and respect by demonstrating their value and contribution to society.