Synopses & Reviews
In
Privatization and the Public Good, Lambert examines a range of developments related to the “privatization” of public higher education in the United States, including increasing “institutional autonomy, higher tuition, diminishing appropriations, alternative revenue sources such as philanthropy and new business ventures, and modified governance relationships.” These developments, in turn, have resulted in an uncertain future for public academic institutions across the country, posing unprecedented questions and challenges for them. Through a wide-ranging analysis of the current situation and detailed case studies,
Privatization and the Public Good provides an incisive account of the challenges faced by public institutions today.
“Written in a thoughtful and engaging style, Lambert’s redefined and enlarged understanding of the term ‘privatization’ offers an intriguing prism through which to view the context of change in public universities and to engage in ‘spirited public dialogue’ that examines the fundamental forces now pummeling our institutions of higher learning.” — Gerald L. Baliles, director and CEO, Miller Center, University of Virginia, and Governor of Virginia, 1986–1990
“Lambert has provided a great service to leaders of public universities and elected officials by framing the debate about the future of public universities, even as state revenues remain unpredictable. He provides compelling evidence that public purposes need not be—and should not be—sacrificed at the altar of market forces. Lambert’s book is a must-read for all those who care about public higher education.” — Joni Finney, director of the Institute for Research on Higher Education and professor of higher education, University of Pennsylvania
“This book brings a new and unusually balanced perspective to the tensions now challenging public higher education in the United States. Lambert has provided an extremely insightful analysis of those tensions, and proposes important steps that could be taken to reduce them and restore public confidence in these institutions, which are so critical to the nation’s future.” — James J. Duderstadt, president emeritus, University of Michigan
Matthew T. Lambert is vice president for university advancement at The College of William & Mary.
Review
“Written in a thoughtful and engaging style, Lambert’s redefined and enlarged understanding of the term ‘privatization’ offers an intriguing prism through which to view the context of change in public universities and to engage in ‘spirited public dialogue’ that examines the fundamental forces now pummeling our institutions of higher learning.” — Gerald L. Baliles, director and CEO, Miller Center, University of Virginia, and Governor of Virginia, 1986–1990
Review
“Lambert has provided a great service to leaders of public universities and elected officials by framing the debate about the future of public universities, even as state revenues remain unpredictable. He provides compelling evidence that public purposes need not be—and should not be—sacrificed at the altar of market forces. Lambert’s book is a must-read for all those who care about public higher education.” — Joni Finney, director of the Institute for Research on Higher Education and professor of higher education, University of Pennsylvania
Review
“This book brings a new and unusually balanced perspective to the tensions now challenging public higher education in the United States. Lambert has provided an extremely insightful analysis of those tensions, and proposes important steps that could be taken to reduce them and restore public confidence in these institutions, which are so critical to the nation’s future.” — James J. Duderstadt, president emeritus, University of Michigan
Synopsis
Privatization and the Public Good investigates concerns within the realm of public higher education. For administrators, this book reveals solutions for handling rising tuition cost, appropriating funds, and other university concerns.
Synopsis
"Public education is in crisis—and it has been for some time. The problem is, no one can agree on the problem, and when there is no agreement on the problem, developing solutions is nearly impossible.” Thus writes Matthew T. Lambert in this study of present-day public higher education, which is currently plagued by momentous challenges.
In Privatization and the Public Good, Lambert examines a range of developments related to the “privatization” of public higher education in the United States, including increasing “institutional autonomy, higher tuition, diminishing appropriations, alternative revenue sources such as philanthropy and new business ventures, and modified governance relationships.” These developments, in turn, have resulted in an uncertain future for public academic institutions across the country, posing unprecedented questions and challenges for them.
Through a wide-ranging analysis of the current situation and detailed case studies that focus on prominent public universities in Virginia, North Carolina, and California, Privatization and the Public Good provides a panoramic account of the challenges faced by public institutions. Insightful and essential, this book makes a crucial contribution to the current reassessment of higher education in the United States.
About the Author
Matthew T. Lambert is vice president for university advancement at The College of William and Mary where he also teaches higher education public policy and finance.
Table of Contents
CONTENTSForeword ix
INTRODUCTION
Frogs Boiling in the Water 1
ONE
Public Good or Private Benefit 9
TWO
The Historic Role of Universities in State and Society 27
THREE
The Value of Higher Education 57
FOUR
The Business of the Business 91
FIVE
Autonomy Is the System’s Greatest Strength 125
SIX
The People’s University 155
SEVEN
The Master Plan Meets Privatization 185
EIGHT
The Foundations of Privatization 221
NINE
The New Public-Private Model 267
Notes 287
Acknowledgments 311
About the Author 315
Index 317