The Charter Movement: New Relationships Between States and their Most Prestigious Institutions by Wendy L. Tighe, Troy A. Swanson, and Dennis E. Gregory submitted for publication
Abstract:The most prestigious public universities are entering an historic new phase in their development. This phase, known as the charter or enterprise movement, establishes new relationships between state governments and their major institutions of higher education. The primary trend in this movement is to give major research universities greater control over their programs and tuition rates, while reducing the amount of state-provided institutional funding. In many cases, greater expectations for accountability accompany this freedom. A single model has yet to emerge nationally, but many states are following this trend. Those opposed to the movement fear that it will ultimately lead to increased tuition and decreased access to research universities by those at an economic disadvantage, compromise the overall relationship between states and their institutions, and redefine what it means to be a public institution.