State Intervention in Higher Education.

Overview & Synopsis

State intervention in higher education is discussed, and state and federal regulations that affect higher education are discussed and contrasted. The structures and procedures by which states intervene in higher education are outlined, and the issue of institutional autonomy is considered. Policy areas through which the state can affect higher education include the following: governance, coordination, and administration; access; instruction; research; public service; general support; and accountability. In the process of statewide planning, state higher education agencies can be a possible source of state intervention and control. Information on executive and legislative staff agencies is presented, and the general history and present status of state higher education agencies are described. Institutional autonomy in relation to state controls is addressed, and perceptions of state agency officials on recent trends in the relative power of the major state agencies and the institutions are presented. Among the ways in which states can intervene in higher education are the following: state controls over the levels and conditions of fiscal support and over academic degrees/programs; direct policy controls over admissions criteria, tuition policy, and institutional size; controls over professional and other licensures; personnel controls; fiscal and program audits; and regulations and rules controlling the construction of physical facilities and the purchase of equipment. It is suggested that a survey of current state controls over institutions of higher education be conducted. (SW)