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)

Three forms of coordination (a coordinating council for institutions having separate boards, a board of regents for institutions retaining separate boards, and a single board for a system of universities) in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana are examined to determine the impact of coordination on institutional autonomy. (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)

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)