A discussion of appropriateness of merit pay for college and university personnel looks at institutional and political obstacles to establishing and maintaining such a system and conditions for success. It is concluded that, for a number of reasons, a totally merit-based pay plan is unsuitable for faculty or most staff. (MSE)

The assumption that higher education has begun a postexpansion decline is challenged, and the accumulation of new demands on higher education is examined from three perspectives: political, socioeconomic, and intellectual/cultural. It is proposed that higher education's role in modern society will intensify and change. (MSE)

Three principles underlying Chinese academic freedom and university autonomy are discussed: (1) given the socialist nature of Chinese education, education must provide support for socialist modernization, with all activities undertaken in society's interest; (2) universities have legal status to manage their internal affairs; (3) faculty can…

The potential for reconciling state formula funding of higher education with institutional planning needs is discussed. It is proposed that states invent a financing mechanism that funds a fair share of the strategic aims of each public college and university, yet allows the state to invest in a few priorities. New Jersey's experiment with such an…

Universities are compounding the problems created by faculty entrepreneurship by gaining an unprecedented financial interest in the prosperity of the biomedical industry. This interferes with the institutions' other functions of critiquing social policy, explaining technical matters, and performing research for publicly decided goals. The…

Fundamental tensions between the traditional notion of educational quality, the ideal of cultural pluralism, and public policy are examined in the context of higher education. The responsibility of the university and the academic profession to take a part in resolving those tensions through constructive change is discussed. (MSE)

Reflects on the external dimensions of universities in Southeast Asia. Discusses the changing roles of universities relative to corresponding changes in the political and social climate of the country where they are located. Affirms that significant progress in the interchange of information has been achieved while suggesting that even more can be…

In Thailand, university autonomy has varied over time and by institution type. Because of their history, universities and faculty are respected and accorded much freedom, and also depended upon as sources of information and opinion aimed at achieving balance and social justice. In a May 1992 national crisis, universities combined voices…

Factors that influence college admissions and articulation are considered, based on testimony of the admissions director of Prairie View A&M University, Texas. The following concerns are addressed: the rationale behind college admissions at a small, rural four-year college serving a predominantly black student population; societal, political,…

Difficulties in the development of adult education programs in research-oriented, elite universities are discussed, focusing on the differences in traditional values and objectives of adult and university education. Organizational conditions at the University of Louvain (Belgium) that have proven conducive to a successful adult education program…

The history of Moroccan universities established in the French colonial tradition is reviewed briefly, and two types of gains in academic freedom and autonomy in recent years are discussed: those made collectively by universities in relation to the central political authority, and those made by individual institutions in relation to each other.…

In the U.S. Congress, attention to scientific fraud and misconduct has involved extensive use of oversight authority. Because scientists and universities have failed to respond promptly to calls for self-regulation, Congress has imposed formal regulations and favors increased scrutiny of research and a reassessment of university-government-science…

Institutional and association administrators from developed and developing countries identify problems in the futures of institutions in their own and other countries, including educational finance, sustaining current progress, developing instructional and research capacities, educational relevance, international scholarly and student exchange,…

Hong Kong universities' purpose has historically been to fulfill colonial labor force needs for economic growth. The 1997 shift in Hong Kong's sovereignty to China will bring changes in higher education's direction and philosophy, probably characterized by greater emphasis on scientific, technological, and cultural exchange with other countries…