The public university in the global South continues to be trapped in an existential slumber, struggling to self-define/self-diagnose its purposes, rationales, goals and agenda(s). Despite the emergence of the #FeesMustfall, #RhodesMustFall, and more recently the #Asinamali student protests, South African higher education continues to adopt…

The problem facing American colleges and universities is larger than even the term "bubble" implies. A bursting bubble would force change on the more than four thousand postsecondary institutions in the United States, but something even more destructive is going to hit higher education, probably at the same time. The major sign that a…

Those involved in higher education understand that the admissions process has less to do with rewarding each student's past performance--although high performance is clearly essential--than it does with building a community of diverse learners who will thrive together and teach one another. Reports have noted that many leading public universities…

Public cuts in financial support have hurt public colleges and students. The author argues that the fault lies in part with the colleges themselves. Many public-university administrators are incapable of convincing political and business leaders of the need for financial support because they are no longer fully convinced themselves. They have…

A time limit ensures periodic review of a race-based program to make sure that it is maintained only if needed or, if necessary, modified to better achieve its goals. The 25-year time limit announced by Justice O'Connor grabbed public attention which shows that University of Michigan affirmative action cases would be of monumental importance to…

Discussion of the current demand for accountability at the higher education level examines its historical background and finds the influence of the conservative backlash against the 1960s and the global demands of capitalism. Suggests that part of this movement's broader agenda is defunding the public university and submission to market forces.…

Argues that many universities pay lip service to the First Amendment and actually control campus speech by denying funds to pay controversial speakers or by stipulating that students must pay the costs for added security measures. Several school policies on racist speech and past practices are explored. (GLR)

Charles Vest gave the first of three Clark Kerr Lectures on the Role of Higher Education in Society on April 19, 2005 on the Berkeley campus. This essay argues that research-intensive public and private universities increasingly have far more similarities than differences in missions, structures, and even financial support. For both, the federal…

A national conversation is underway about the long-term consequences of trends that are blurring the distinctions between public and private universities and leading to creation of a new, ad hoc category with characteristics of each--the "hybrid" university. One theme of this dialogue is that the public is abandoning its support for…

Discusses the changing role of government as Australian universities face restructuring including: (1) shaping the system for national policy purposes; (2) funding research and teaching; (3) setting industrial relations and related policy parameters; and (4) quality assurance and accountability. Urges universities to tackle their problems without…

The Venezuelan higher education system is described, and the principal efficiency, equity, and management issues are examined, especially for public universities. A pattern of explosive growth followed by recurrent funding crises has been a recent development. Strong resistance to change despite evident current shortcomings is characteristic.…

The 16 essays in this volume address the premise that the success of a college or university related foundation is directly proportional to the strength and quality of its relationship with its host institution. Papers are organized into four sections on: genesis and evolution of institutionally related foundations, their structure and function,…

Replacement of Australia's binary system, which separates the roles of colleges and universities, is discussed in this seminar report. In addition to seven seminar papers, information is provided on the Australian higher education system, including access, the curriculum, research, fiscal accountability, and program relevance and quality. In the…

This paper reviews the development of the public monopoly of degree-granting institutions of higher education in Ontario, Canada. It examines arguments for private universities which suggest improved accessibility, diversity, and quality and finds the arguments to be insufficiently strong. A recommendation is made for improvement of Ontario's…

Financing issues associated with the evolution of Argentina's national universities, 1960-90, are examined. Major trends in student population, faculty, and government spending are outlined, the teaching and research market is discussed, and several proposals to ease constraints are presented and analyzed for feasibility. (Author/MSE)