Understanding differences in state support for higher education: A comparative study of state appropriations for research universities

In: Dissertation Abstracts International

Abstract

A review of the literature suggests that higher education governance, institutional characteristics, and economic, demographic, political, and cultural factors play a critical role in determining state appropriations for public colleges and universities. Relying on these factors as a framework, the purpose of this study was to identify and explore the most compelling of these explanations for differences in unrestricted state appropriations for Carnegie Public Research I Universities during the 1990s. ; Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in the study. First, regression analysis was employed to examine the impact of [the] twenty-six variables identified from the literature as important predictors of higher education appropriations. In the final regression model, three institutions were identified as representing [three] clear, but differing, levels of support: lower than predicted appropriations (Ohio State University), predicted appropriations (University of Wisconsin-Madison), and higher than predicted appropriations (University of Georgia). ; A multi-case study design as described in Bogdan & Bicklen (1992) and Conrad, Haworth & Millar (1993) was used to learn about state support at these three institutions. The primary data collection method used was interviews targeting institutional leaders, state legislators, governing board officials, state administrators, and governor's staff in each state. ; Institutional commitment to public service, strength of the higher education governance structure, and gubernatorial and legislative support emerged as critical elements accounting for differences in support between public research I universities. Specifically, strong, recognizable outreach programs and structures are important to increasing the visibility of institutional service and consequently lead to greater state support. In addition, research I universities that are governed by a consolidated governing board are likely to have greater state appropriations compared to those in coordinating board systems because of governing boards' ability to mitigate competition between campuses. Finally, the support of the governor is among the most crucial factors that set the political stage and public disposition toward supporting higher education. ; An examination of organizational theory suggested that a combination of rational, political, and cultural systems theories are useful for understanding the organization, processes, and structures explaining key differences in state support for public research I universities. ; Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 61-02, Section: A, page: 0530. ; Supervisor: Carolyn J. Kelley. ; Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Wisconsin - Madison, 1999.