The Strained Relationship Between Public Systems of Higher Education and Flagship Universities

• In Event: Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership at Multiple Levels

Abstract

In this paper the authors examine the relationship between flagship universities and public systems of higher education—both the challenges and the opportunities facing the association. Analysis of the narratives of 12 current and former institution and system heads suggests that large, public research institutions are limited by their affiliation with public systems while the system itself and other lesser schools within the system benefit. Through the narrative presented in this text the authors demonstrate three contributory reasons for the strained relationship as suggested by the participants and historical analysis.

Authors

• Raquel M. Rall, University of California - Riverside

• William G. Tierney, University of Southern California