In "Smith" the California Supreme Court ruled that the University must provide a partial refund to students objecting to fees used for activities supporting a single political or ideological viewpoint. Surveys prior case law on student fees, agency fees, and integrated bar dues. Discusses "Smith's" impact and contends it should…

In the fall 1996 issue of this journal, Maxine Schmitz argued against the California Supreme Court's ruling in "Smith" that the University must provide a partial refund to students objecting to fees used for activities supporting a single political or ideological viewpoint. Annette Gibbs defends the "Smith" majority opinion.…

The merits of student arguments challenging the constitutionality of mandatory student fees to finance certain activities or services are examined and balanced against the public university's interest in providing a forum for the expression of diverse and controversial ideas. (MSE)

"Rosenberger" prohibits public colleges and universities from discriminating against religious viewpoints in their allocation of student activities funds that are equally available to other groups. The Supreme Court decision also extends the range of facilities equally available to student religious organizations for free-speech…

The Supreme Court, in "Rosenberger," ruled against the University of Virginia when it denied student newspapers with religious perspectives equal access to student activities funds. Discusses decisions by all the courts and implications for future changes in the legal standard by which cases involving public assistance for religious…

"Rosenberger" revises Establishment Clause jurisprudence in several aspects: (1) ends "Lemon versus Kurtzman" as a main precedent; (2) alters First Amendment law by holding that government efforts to treat religious speech differently amounts to discrimination against people based on their "viewpoint"; and (3)…

Variable fees at the graduate and undergraduate levels are a topic of discussion in the US and in the EU as part of a larger movement towards increasing the role of fees in the funding of public universities. This essay describes this relatively new shift and its causes, outlines various funding models related to fee levels, and discusses the…

Legal and policy initiatives to achieve various tuition policy goals are proposed for the Massachusetts Board of Regents of Higher Education. The suggested tuition policy builds on the policy adopted by the Board in 1984. Details are provided on tuition and access, tuition and equity, the margin for excellence, tuition and fees, and…