Autonomy, in the context of higher education, is defined as the ability of a university or college to govern itself without outside controls. Autonomy and academic freedom are discussed and procedural and substantive autonomy are distinguished. (MLW)

Incursions into the autonomy of institutions and the sources and types of incursions that occur are described including: legislatures defining the intent and the specifications of the legislation; expenditure controls extended to desirability and propriety; and legal opinions on legislative intent. Procedural and substantive autonomy are…

The various and developing forms of governmental intervention and control affecting universities are discussed. State intervention and control, program audits and evaluations, and federal intervention are described. The cost of interventions into institutional autonomy and the negative effect on quality are seen as increasing. (MLW)

Institutional atonomy, from the standpoint of accountability and responsibility, is discussed in order to arrive at a concept of the kind and degree of autonomy essential for an educational institution to effectively and efficiently fulfill its responsibilities to society. (MLW)

The case for university autonomy, it is suggested, rests on recognition of the importance of a high degree of autonomy if an institution is to provide those services which society needs and wants in quality and quantity. Some basic factors justifying the extension of autonomy to the university are discussed. (MLW)