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AASCU Government Compliance Report

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Public institutions in America operated with substantial autonomy and independence from state intervention and control throughout most of their early history. Nonetheless, public institutions ruled by boards were designed to provide a high degree of autonomy from state legislatures. This governance continued as colleges and universities provided separate governing boards. The earliest move toward consolidated governing boards happened after the Great Depression. During this period colleges and universities saw a greater demand for higher education and expansion of research universities (Berdahl, 2014). In Berdahl (2014) he offered a few key premises: what is the role of state governance in the sustainability of colleges and universities; …show more content…

Thus, these institutions produced vital social and common good (Berdahl, 2014). Hence the public investment in higher education was significant. Students paid their tuition instead of state financial support. As a result, student debt management had become an emerging policy matter (AASCU Government Relations, 2017). Several states sought legislation to allow students to refinance their student loan debt. However, this legislation did not pass. Yet, college loan debt continues to affect many state residents and policymakers continue to determine policies to ease the burden of student debt (AASCU Government Relations, 2017). Moreover, institutions engaged in private fundraising such as gifts and endowments resembling those of private institutions fought for similar autonomy (Berdahl, 2014). Therefore, the mission of higher education is a combination of the advancement of society and the individual (Beyond the horizon: The 2020 strategic plan, 2018). Management and understanding of colleges and universities’ governance coupled with providing students with more information about student loans are essential (AASCU Government Relations, 2017; Berdahl,

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