University Reform

The reform of universities is a matter of importance and controversy throughout the world. As societies have placed increased demands on postsecondary educational institutions, these institutions have been called on to change to accommodate these new functions. Historically, universities have had to adapt to new functions and roles. ¹ While it is true that academic institutions are slow to change and are notably conservative entities, they have been transformed over the centuries. The modern university has historical links to its medieval antecedents and academic traditions are important in the historical memory, as well as in the ceremonies of academic institutions, but there has been an immense amount of institutional redefinition, expansion, and change over time. The modern university shares common traditions with the medieval University of Paris, but it is a vastly expanded and quite different institution. ² This chapter focuses on some of the elements of change in higher education in an effort to look at the sources and nature of reform in the university.