The Legal Rationalization of American Higher Education
- Resource Type
- Authors
- Jared Furuta; Francisco O. Ramirez
- Source
- Universities as Agencies ISBN: 9783319927121
- Subject
- Economic growth
050402 sociology
Higher education
Descriptive statistics
business.industry
05 social sciences
050301 education
Sample (statistics)
Rationalization (economics)
0504 sociology
Political science
Elite
Position (finance)
business
0503 education
health care economics and organizations
- Language
This chapter describes the legal rationalization of American higher education over the past several decades. We contend that legal offices emerged and expanded in response to two societal trends: the development of stronger and more extensive linkages between universities and society, and the rise of empowered individuals in colleges and universities. Descriptive statistics from a cross-sectional sample of 237 four-year colleges and universities in the United States indicate that half of American higher education institutions have a general counsel position, while nearly all of the elite (“Ivy Plus”) schools in the country have adopted this role. We conclude by suggesting further research on this topic that analyzes its developments longitudinally and cross-nationally.