Publisher's Synopsis
Will a free–market approach to higher education cost less, produce higher levels of quality, and still guarantee a generous degree of access? Or will it threaten the grand idea of public higher education as a public good.
Administrators, trustees, and legislators are experimenting with increased autonomy and less state regulation at public institutions. Seeking Excellence Through Independence examines the arguments for and against freeing up public colleges and universities not from an ideological viewpoing, but in terms of what works and what doesn′t.
Terrence MacTaggart contends that by instituting a free–market approach, state officials and higher education administrators can help revitalize public colleges and universities, strengthen quality, and assure broad access. This thorough and thoughtful examination of public institution deregulation offers a valuable behind–the–scenes look at the experiences and results of deregulation already taking place at some institutions. The contributors––a well–known group of practitioners and scholars––offer their unique insights, recommendations, and suggestions for successfully pursuing deregulation.
In addition, they suggest practical changes for taking advantage of the energies released by greater autonomy––and for making autonomy work to revitalize colleges and universities and provide the services the public has the right to expect.
