Of Precept, Policy, and Practice.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Of Precept, Policy, and Practice.
Language: English
Authors: Zemsky, Robert, Knight Higher Education Collaborative, Philadelphia, PA.
Source: Policy Perspectives. Dec 2002 11(1).
Availability: Knight Higher Education Collaborative, Institute for Research on Higher Education, University of Pennsylvania, 4200 Pine Street, 5A, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4090. Tel: 215-898-4585; e-mail: pp-requests@irhe.upenn.edy. For full text: http://www.irhe.upen.edu/pubs.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2002
Sponsoring Agency: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Miami, FL.
Document Type: Collected Works - Serials
Opinion Papers
Descriptors: Cooperation, Higher Education, Inflation (Economics), Paying for College, State Aid, Student Costs, Tuition
Geographic Terms: U.S.; Pennsylvania
Abstract: For 3 decades, colleges and universities have consistently increased tuition faster than the rate of inflation. Higher education leaders and public officials have been codependent agents in a process that has transformed practices without redefining policy. It has become increasingly clear that educational performance in the public interest and institutional performance are not identical. In seeking expanded sources of revenue for new opportunities, universities and colleges have helped shift a greater share of the cost of higher education to students and their families, effectively raising the barriers of affordability for many. Those who have public responsibility, usually lack an agree-on agenda, and pursue a variety of maintenance agendas that accord the greatest funding to institutions and students who are the most advantaged. Changing institutional behavior falls within the realm of possibility if a state can establish one or two strong priorities that serve to focus the resources and energies of higher education institutions and other stakeholders. Collaboration between higher education leaders and public officials is key to advancing a state's public purposes. (SLD)
Notes: Published three times per year. Theme issue.
Journal Code: RIESEP2003
Entry Date: 2003
Accession Number: ED472497
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:For 3 decades, colleges and universities have consistently increased tuition faster than the rate of inflation. Higher education leaders and public officials have been codependent agents in a process that has transformed practices without redefining policy. It has become increasingly clear that educational performance in the public interest and institutional performance are not identical. In seeking expanded sources of revenue for new opportunities, universities and colleges have helped shift a greater share of the cost of higher education to students and their families, effectively raising the barriers of affordability for many. Those who have public responsibility, usually lack an agree-on agenda, and pursue a variety of maintenance agendas that accord the greatest funding to institutions and students who are the most advantaged. Changing institutional behavior falls within the realm of possibility if a state can establish one or two strong priorities that serve to focus the resources and energies of higher education institutions and other stakeholders. Collaboration between higher education leaders and public officials is key to advancing a state's public purposes. (SLD)