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Privatizing the Public University

Perspectives from across the Academy

edited by Christopher C. Morphew and Peter D. Eckel

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With public colleges and universities facing substantial budget cuts and increased calls for accountability, more institutions now rely on private revenue streams for support. As market-driven policies and behaviors become more commonplace, some cautious critics sound the alarm, while others watching the bottom line cheer. But which perspective gets it right? Does the privatization of public higher education threaten its very mission or support it?

In this collection of essays, economists, policy makers, political scientists, sociologists, and organizational researchers discuss the impact of...

With public colleges and universities facing substantial budget cuts and increased calls for accountability, more institutions now rely on private revenue streams for support. As market-driven policies and behaviors become more commonplace, some cautious critics sound the alarm, while others watching the bottom line cheer. But which perspective gets it right? Does the privatization of public higher education threaten its very mission or support it?

In this collection of essays, economists, policy makers, political scientists, sociologists, and organizational researchers discuss the impact of privatization from their respective disciplinary perspectives and assess its implications for the future of higher education.

Privatization may bring additional funds and services that are free from government regulations and oversight, but does it also allow private interests to have undue influence over public higher education? Should public universities have to compete in the economic marketplace as vigorously as they do in the marketplace of ideas? What are the implications when institutions of higher learning function like businesses?

With privatization now a reality for most public colleges and universities, an objective examination of the issue from these diverse academic perspectives will be welcomed by those struggling with its challenges.

Reviews

Reviews

An original approach to the ‘problem’ of privatization in higher education. I am not aware of any books that substantively cover the same landscape as this one, and the contributions from different disciplinary approaches are unique.

The balance between public and private investments in higher education has been redefined without appropriate clarity or adequate discourse. This timely book draws on a variety of disciplines to address how the expanded private role has altered many rules guiding access, quality, competition, and governance. It will meet the needs of policy makers and campus leaders concerned about the preservation of the essential public content of higher education.

A seismic shift in public higher education toward privatization has been under way for a decade or more. This splendid volume explores implications of this trend for finance, governance, performance, and regulation of universities. Those who care about educational opportunity and economic competitiveness will find this book essential reading.

About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
6
x
9
Pages
224
ISBN
9780801896606
Illustration Description
5 line drawings
Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter 1. Privatizing the Public Research University
Chapter 2. The Origins and Growth of State Policies That Privatize Public Higher Education
Chapter 3. Incomplete Contracts and the Political

Preface
Chapter 1. Privatizing the Public Research University
Chapter 2. The Origins and Growth of State Policies That Privatize Public Higher Education
Chapter 3. Incomplete Contracts and the Political Economy of Privatization
Chapter 4. An Economist's Perspective on the Privatization of Public Higher Education
Chapter 5. The Organizational Dynamics of Privatization in Public Research Universities
Chapter 6. Governing the Privatized Public Research University
Chapter 7. Policy Lessons from the Privatization of Public Agencies
Chapter 8. Privatizing the Public European University
Chapter 9. Toward a Clearer Understanding of Privatization
Contributors
Index

Author Bios
Christopher C. Morphew
Featured Contributor

Christopher C. Morphew

Christopher C. Morphew (BALTIMORE, MD) is the dean of Johns Hopkins University’s School of Education, where he is also a professor. He is the coeditor of The Challenge of Independent Colleges: Moving Research to Practice and Privatizing the Public University: Perspectives from across the Academy.
Peter D. Eckel
Featured Contributor

Peter D. Eckel

Peter D. Eckel is the director of Programs and Initiatives at the Center for Effective Leadership at the American Council on Education and author of The Shifting Frontiers of Academic Decision Making: Responding to New Priorities, Following New Pathways.