A Field of Striving or Equity? Regional Public Universities and College Access

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: A Field of Striving or Equity? Regional Public Universities and College Access
Language: English
Authors: Warshaw, Jarrett B., DeMonbrun, Matt, McNaughtan, Jon
Source: New Directions for Higher Education. Sum 2020 (190):25-39.
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2020
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Public Colleges, Universities, Access to Education, Equal Education, Undergraduate Students, Reputation, Enrollment, Low Income Students, Minority Group Students
DOI: 10.1002/he.20365
ISSN: 0271-0560
Abstract: Many regional public universities (RPUs) provide college access to diverse groups of undergraduate students and face pressures to pursue prestige in the academic hierarchy. Prior research posits that RPUs will strive for prestige because of status- and resource-based rewards that flow from increasing their admissions selectivity, research-intensity, and wealth. As this dominant perspective suggests, RPUs may erode historic missions of democratizing educational opportunity to emulate their more elite peers to improve their external ratings and rankings. This chapter draws on multiple indicators of equity to examine whether institutional enrollment data align with, or diverge from, the prestige-seeking assumptions about these institutions. Descriptive profiles indicate that most RPUs in this analysis have increased over time their enrollment of low-income and racially diverse groups of students. We discuss implications for adopting a more flexible perspective on RPUs to account for equity-based orientations in the sector and to inform responsive practices.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1272957
Database: ERIC
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Be the first to leave a comment!
You must be logged in first