Public Universities Seek More Autonomy as Financing From States Shrinks

"The accumulated layers of bureaucracy and the control of our mission from a distance make our institutions byzantine mazes, sometimes with no obvious exit," she said. "It’s hard to be more responsible or more responsive if we spend all our time trying to comprehend and then follow 25 steps to get approval for one purchase."

With states providing a dwindling share of money for higher education, many states and public universities are rethinking their ties.

The public universities say that with less money from state coffers, they cannot afford the complicated web of state regulations governing areas like procurement and building, and that they need more flexibility to compete with private institutions.

As a result, the fundamental model for supporting higher education is being reconsidered, with many universities winning greater autonomy — sometimes even in setting tuition.

By TAMAR LEWIN

Full Story: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/education/03colleges.html?_r=2&hp