The purpose of a university is to survive by giving society enough of what it wants in such a way that it earns, retains, and makes space for its proper pursuits, including systematic criticism of what society wants. The disciplines need constant renewing and constant resurrection for the sake of humanity. (MSE)

Contends that erroneous assumptions held by faculty and administrators about higher education prevent necessary discussion among faculty and constituencies about the multiple missions and obligations of higher education. Identifies a number of critical questions for discussion both inside and outside of academic circles. (DSK)

Joseph Perkins argued in the "Wall Street Journal" that one-third of the 100 traditionally Black colleges should become two-year institutions. This rebuttal suggests that Black institutions' survival involves planning for new and broader missions in an unsheltered, integrated, competitive environment. (MLW)

Creating genuine partnerships between urban universities and their communities is self-interest for the academic institution because their survival is in danger. Commitment to access is only one dimension of collaboration; it must be enhanced by full participation of the university, as corporate citizens, in community development. Partnerships are…

Addresses the many issues community colleges currently face, including decreased state and federal funding, increased competition from for-profit colleges, the digital divide, and enrollment and retirement trends. Suggests that institutions interact with their environments in better, fundamentally different ways. (Contains 14 references.) (NB)

The authors argue that a recently proposed Minnesota policy for implementing full-cost tuition in selected practitioner master's degree programs in state institutions is counterproductive. The proposed policy is examined as a case study of probable supply and demand effects on student enrollments and institutional vitality. (Author/MSE)

Examines a number of trends in higher education that threaten to undermine the status, role, and even existence of liberal arts colleges. Looks at competitive marketing, merit-based student financial aid, private support for state schools, and the heavy influence of price on student choice. Keeping these factors in mind can allow universities to…

This paper discusses whether liberal arts colleges are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their traditional curriculum as they compete for students, as well as strategies that may enable these institutions to survive while maintaining their liberal arts identity. It observes that many liberal arts colleges award less than 40 percent of…

Examines the market orientation of Japan's higher education institutions, particularly in the private sector, and the role of government in higher education administration and finance. Outlines efforts to reform teaching and service functions of the university and institutional administration in this context. Notes a shift from the traditional…

James Shanley, president of Fort Peck Community College (Montana), discusses the intertwined issues of unemployment, welfare reform, and economic development needs on American Indian reservations; the role of tribal colleges in job training and economic development; criticism of tribal colleges for not pursuing scholarship to validate indigenous…