How have sociohistorical developments influenced the nature of the college experience over time? In what ways have these changes impacted the responsibilities of higher education relative to the moral and ethical development of students? This article reflects the thinking of a seasoned senior executive regarding these questions.

In my remarks about elitist knowledge production, I firstly try to adjust the perspective from which the university could be analysed; I specifically explore the functions of the university in relation to Habermas's categorisation of knowledge. Secondly, with reference to Derrida's reflections on the university, I reformulate a conception of the…

Discusses four challenges facing academic professions on the transformation to a postindustrial, technical society based on information. Examines the relationship of postsecondary education to the economy; the need to think, plan, and manage strategically; the redesign of the education industry; and literacy and retraining needs. (DMM)

Asserts that in South Africa, political and economic discourse has to a large extent perceived the social role of the university in terms of nation building. Suggests instead that the basis for the university's service to society lies in its character as a community of reason. (EV)

An understanding of the changing social function of the university--in its interdependent relationship with the wider society--is essential to all students of higher education. Such an understanding may be the best means of restoring confidence in the education system of the 1980s. (Author/MLW)

Proposes educational centralization to offset post-Vietnam public disaffection from universities. Considers the solution of the basic skills problem on all levels, broader attention to energy research, sensible evaluation of public expectations of technology, and the exportation of U.S. knowledge as essential tasks in resisting the fragmentation…

Explores what happens to knowledge in corporate universities operating as knowledge producers in a knowledge economy, asserting that current discussions about higher education forget that the university functions as a custodian of knowledge. Uses principles of the Enlightenment to show that the knowledge needed to maintain the knowledge system…

The author argues that universities, and specifically their vocational education departments, need to become far more involved in the nation's Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) efforts than they are presently. He contends that to ignore the CETA system would seriously violate the responsibilities attendant to the university's three…

Challenges Higgs'"ambivalent" position about the role of the university (presented in a previous article), contending that the university can still retain its character as "a community of reason" (Higgs' main argument) without abandoning its social role vis-a-vis nation building. (EV)

This charter explains what is being done to promote high standards of service for all who use technical colleges in the new further education (FE) sector in England--students, employers, and other members of the local community. It sets out the standards one has a right to expect from colleges in the FE sector and other organizations involved in…

The purpose of this book is to bring back to public attention seven thinkers who wrote about what they believed to be vital in higher education. Each chapter examines a particularly "key text," in which that thinker considers the nature of higher education. The background for the occasion of the delivery of that text as a speech or…

Recognizes universities encounter difficulties responding to human resource needs. Indicates meeting human resource challenges requires university coordination with other agencies, proper allocation of resources, and recognition of the role of liberal arts in the education of highly qualified workers. Concludes that university response should…

Urges community colleges to reexamine their responsibilities to meet the financial, information, counseling, and curriculum needs of foreign students, and lists several elements in ensuring that this growing constituency receives a quality educational experience. (RC)

Warns that sound management theory and practice are in danger of becoming isolated from the academic process and care must be taken to include an informed and flexible concept of academic process with managerial skills. Relates management to the meaning of general education, commitment to academic standards, and delineation of institutional…

The urban university is a citizen of the city and should hold itself to high standards of civic commitment. However, such citizenship should not deter it from its traditional roles of asking questions, seeking knowledge, teaching, and conducting research. There is no inherent inconsistency between these functions and urban citizenship. (MSE)