Calling Academia to Account: Rights and Responsibilities.

This book examines issues in accountability and standards in higher education within the context of 1996 and 1997 British reports concerning governance of higher education and the wider public scene. Part 1 examines the values and assumptions of academic research and scholarship and accountability issues concerning investment to fund that work. Individual chapters address: values and the world of scholarship, academic freedom and professional ethics, value for money, and the public interest. Part 2 examines the various constituents that comprise a university and the issues of accountability within the institution. Chapters discuss structure and purpose of the university; institutional autonomy of both academics and managers; membership, employment, office; internal legislation; the rights of the subordinate and the insubordinate; and resolving disputes. Part 3 considers the topic of standards and accounting for academic decisions. Specific chapters examine the value of a degree, peer review and appraisal, forming academic judgments, ensuring sound procedures, and reasonableness. (Contains approximately 175 references.) (DB)