PRIVATIZATION OF SUPPORT SERVICES IN PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA

Abstract

This study uses qualitative research methods to examine the privatization of support services in Florida's 10 public universities making up the State University System of Florida as of June 30, 2001. The study was limited to those non-academic functions provided by the administrative divisions of each university. The study investigated (a) the different kinds of support services that had been privatized, (b) the degree of privatization, (c) how managers dealt with the ambivalence question when it was cost effective to privatize a service yet politically difficult to do so, and (d) the lessons learned from privatization of services. Data were gathered from each institution using a common set of questions applied through a combination of personal interviews and surveys. The study allowed comparisons of the 10 universities. ; Ed.D. ; Division of Administrative Studies ; Doctorate