A trend toward global free trade, as represented by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), has changed the basic assumptions behind Canadian university autonomy and governance. Since higher education is part of social programs and social programs are not exempt from NAFTA provisions, higher education must adjust to serving not only…

In the next century, universities must remain or become the forums for reflection. Major aims are to achieve true democratization, promote access to higher education, and preserve and strengthen quality. The university must continue to adapt to and introduce change as it has in its long history, but without neglecting all the elements that make it…

In Thailand, university autonomy has varied over time and by institution type. Because of their history, universities and faculty are respected and accorded much freedom, and also depended upon as sources of information and opinion aimed at achieving balance and social justice. In a May 1992 national crisis, universities combined voices…

A 1958 New York community study dramatized the thesis that macro forces (urbanization, industrialization, bureaucratization) have undermined all small communities' autonomy. Such "oppositional case studies" succeed when they render the dominant view immediately obsolete, have plausible origins, are testable, and generate new research.…

This paper challenges British proposals to concentrate research funding in select universities. Such a policy would reinforce social inequalities of opportunity thus frustrating the purpose of widening student access. Quality teaching, especially in the social sciences, requires teacher engagement in research. Universities should reappraise the…

Three questions about the relationships between campus autonomy and measures of faculty quality, student quality, and external funding are examined. The results suggest that changes in these measures of university quality are more influenced by state financial support than by state regulation. (Author/MLW)

Events and factors leading to the 1986 uprising among French university students are outlined and discussed. The protest and its tragic results occurred because of a sometimes misunderstood new plan to restrict admissions and impose higher fees in order to make the system more efficient. (MSE)

A survey of 78 faculty at the University of Tasmania (Australia) investigated perceptions of the actual and the ideal university and identified discrepancies that are causes for concern about the institution's future. Two issues stood out as concerns: institutional autonomy and democracy within the institution. (MSE)

Dutch colleges of education for primary school teachers have undergone several mergers. The article examines how to fully utilize primary teacher education characteristics in large institutions of higher vocational education. It describes studies of integration and differentiation in other countries, concluding that mergers threaten the…

Reflects on the need to find the correct balance between the roles of government, families, and schools in educational reform and improvement. Three administrative elements needed to assure successful improvement of school performance and educational quality are examined: legal status of the school; clarity of educational standards; and parental…

Factors contributing to the growing federal regulation of United States colleges and universities are explained, and regulation's impact in the areas of student aid, race relations, scientific research, environmental protection, and age discrimination are discussed. It is argued that a balance between institutional autonomy and accountability must…

Israel's Planning and Grants Committee (PGC), intended to mediate between government and higher education in financial matters, was designed to guarantee academic freedom while improving accountability. The committee is composed largely of academics. Increasing PGC involvement in higher education planning and regulation is restricting…

Profiles state community college systems in terms of type of governing board, percentage of state versus local funding, number of institutions, and years in existence. Examines relationship of these traits to degree of centralization of governance structures. Finds systems with more than 50% state funding tending toward centralized governance…

This historical review concludes that, for the last decade, Danish education policies have been influenced by a minority conservative coalition government and in important ways, have been inspired by British and U.S. policy. This has included demand for user input into instruction, increased institutional autonomy, and evaluation of teaching to…

The development of Dutch higher education legislation is reviewed including university admission, administration, the restructuring of university education, financing of students and proposals of a new planning system. The content of Dutch legislation is described in connection with the growing role of the government in higher education.…