On Higher Education: The Academic Enterprise in an Era of Rising Student Consumerism

• Main Author: Riesman, David
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Jossey-Bass Inc 1980
• Subjects: Accountability; College Choice; College Curriculum; College Faculty; College Preparation; College Students; Consumer Protection; Court Litigation; Educational Counseling; Faculty College Relationship; Faculty Governance; Federal Regulation; Governance; Government School Relationship; Higher Education; Marketing; Private Colleges; Student College Relationship; Student Financial Aid; Student Rights; Student Role

The rapid growth of student consumerism in higher education is examined, including increased litigation against colleges by students and expanded federal efforts to protect student interests by regulating institutions. The consequences on teaching and learning of the escalating competition for student customers is analyzed. Chapters discuss: the era of faculty dominance and its decline; sources of faculty hegemony; the rise of student disaffection; college marketing and student customers; the limits of student choice; the evangelical colleges; student power in the public community colleges; the free market, marginal differentiation, and restrictions on diversity; providing information to guide student choice; student consumerism and educational change; protecting students by voluntary action; regional accrediting associations; and government intervention for consumer protection. Suggestions are offered on defeating the passivity among many student consumers in order to encourage an active participation on the student's part in the selection of his/her college which produces a more rewarding educational experience for both student and institution. Such suggestions include (1) sufficient student guidance so that the choices are well examined and (2) institutional self-evaluation in order to truthfully define collegiate objectives and offerings. Also examined are the prospects for faculty morale when the market dictates changes in curriculum and modes of instruction, student power in affecting educational change, and the role of accrediting agencies in improving the state of higher education. A bibliography, a name index, and a subject index are provided. (LC)