David Palfreyman

Paul Temple

What is a university? What is the University? How have universities evolved over the centuries? How might they change over the coming decades as the physical and organisational entity most identified with 'higher education' being delivered to over 250 million students? What will be the impact of digital- and distance-learning, of commercial for-profit new entrants to the higher education market, of government austerity, of globalization, of student consumerism? Exploring the origins and the concept, the idea and the ideal, of the university, this Very Short Introduction discusses one of the world's oldest, most resilient, and most adaptable institutions. David Palfreyman and Paul Temple consider the links between universities and the economy, and the role of universities within society. Highlighting some of the key questions surrounding the position of universities, they ask how the university can be politically accountable for its taxpayer funding, if it needs to be autonomous to function effectively as a public good. Are professors professional enough in their teaching practices at a time that increasing tuition fees transform students more and more into consumers? And just what does 'academic freedom' for university faculties really entail? ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

A Very Short Introduction

Universities and Colleges

'Thanks, You Taught Me how to Think'

The Oxford Tutorial

Dennis Farrington

Written by two leading practitioners, this comprehesive and practical guide to the law of higher education in the UK provides extensive analysis of the complex legal framework in which universities work and the remedies which may be sought in the event of disputes. The Law of Higher Education has been fully updated to take account of the many legislative changes which have come into force since the publication of the first edition in 2006. The impact of new charity law; changes in governance structures; developments in the law of employment; academic freedom issues; and the increasing presence of academies and other private Higher Education Institutions are all dealt with in detail, with reference to and analysis of the relevent case law throughout. Although focussing on UK laws, the new edition includes expanded material on the international context, which has become particularly important as institutions are increasingly involved in international exchanges and collaborations, as well as being subject to the increasing globalisation of higher education. The text is linked to the updating service on the Oxford Centre for Higher Education Policy Studies website, ensuring that readers are kept up-to-date with developments, even after publication.

The Law of Higher Education

TED TAPPER

In recent years most western democracies have experienced a shift from elite to mass higher education, with the United States leading the way. This text compares the experience of this very important social change within different nation states. Whilst recognising the critical global economic forces that appear to explain the international nature of the change, it sees the issues as rooted within different national traditions. There is a particular focus upon the discourse of access, especially the political discourse. The book addresses questions such as: * How has expansion been explained? * Has expansion been generated by state intervention or by a combination of economic and social forces? * What are the forms of political intervention? * What points of agreement and conflict are generated within the wider society by expanding access? Leading academic experts explore the ways in which different systems of higher education have accommodated mass access, constructing comparative pictures and comparative interpretations and lessons in an accessible and informative style. This book should be critical reading for students in education, sociology and politics, as well as policy-makers and academics.

Comparative Perspectives on Access

Understanding Mass Higher Education

David Warner

Higher education is now 'big business' and a complex business. Increasingly, students demand value for their money and are willing to resort to law if they feel they are not getting a fair deal and their complaints are being ignored. At the same time, higher education managers must keep abreast of legislation and become involved in ever more detailed contractual arrangements in matters such as mergers, franchising, property management, and income generation.The twenty-one chapters of this book give a comprehensive coverage of the issues and are contributed by law firms with substantial experience in advising higher education clients. This guide has been written for the non-lawyer, for the busy manager seeking guidance on potential legal problems and looking to avoid them by means of a preventive legal health check. It will help ensure value for money from solicitors by helping higher education institutions to be better informed and legally aware clients.

A Guide for Managers

Higher Education and the Law

Ted Tapper

Undoubtedly the most important development in higher education in recent years has been the seemingly inexorable expansion of national systems. In a comparatively short time period many countries have moved from an elite to a mass model. Furthermore, expansion has invariably changed the whole experience of higher education for all the interested parties from, presidents, rectors and vice-chancellors to first-term undergraduates. Structuring Mass Higher Education examines the impact of this change upon the existing national structures of higher education. It also defines and highlights what makes an ‘elite’ university – something which institutions must strive for in order to gain their position as global players. With case studies and contributions from a wide range of international authors, the book explores questions such as: Do higher education institutions retain a national significance, even though the vestiges of an international reputation have long faded? Has expansion undermined the quality of higher education because governments sought to expand "on the cheap"? Is the elite institutional response to mass higher education perceived as a threat to be responded to with purposeful action that sustains their elite status? Does the emergence of the international league tables pose a challenge to those responsible for governing elite institutions? These are critical issues with which both policy-makers and institutional leaders will have to grapple over the next ten years, making Structuring Mass Higher Education a timely, relevant, and much needed text. It will appeal to policy makers and practitioners within higher education as well as student and scholars worldwide.

The Role of Elite Institutions

Structuring Mass Higher Education

Undoubtedly the most important development in higher education in recent years has been the seemingly inexorable expansion of national systems. In a comparatively short time period many countries have moved from an elite to a mass model. Furthermore, expansion has invariably changed the whole experience of higher education for all the interested parties from, presidents, rectors and vice-chancellors to first-term undergraduates. Structuring Mass Higher Educationexamines the impact of this change upon the existing national structures of higher education. It also defines and highlights what makes an ‘elite’ university – something which institutions must strive for in order to gain their position as global players. With case studies and contributions from a wide range of international authors, the book explores questions such as: Do higher education institutions retain a national significance, even though the vestiges of an international reputation have long faded? Has expansion undermined the quality of higher education because governments sought to expand "on the cheap"? Is the elite institutional response to mass higher education perceived as a threat to be responded to with purposeful action that sustains their elite status? Does the emergence of the international league tables pose a challenge to those responsible for governing elite institutions? These are critical issues with which both policy-makers and institutional leaders will have to grapple over the next ten years, making Structuring Mass Higher Educationa timely, relevant, and much needed text. It will appeal to policy makers and practitioners within higher education as well as student and scholars worldwide.

* Why do crises arise in Further and Higher Education institutions? * How can these crises be overcome? * What lessons can be learnt? There have been several high profile crises in higher education during the last two decades. Managing Crisis draws together a number of senior academic managers to prepare, probably for the first time ever, a series of detailed institutional case-studies. These case-studies identify the nature of the crisis, describe the action taken to resolve it, and consider the lasting consequences. An important chapter gives the informed perspectives of the funding council on higher education crises, and in the final chapter the inimitable Peter Scott draws a series of significant conclusions. Managing Crisis is the first book to examine crises in higher education in detail and to identify key points on how to overcome or avoid them. Required reading for managers working within UK Higher Education Policy.

David Palfreyman

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