Power and influence in higher education: The case of Florida

Power and influence in higher education: The case of Florida Article

Blackwell, EA, Cistone, PJ. (1999). Power and influence in higher education: The case of Florida . 12(2), 111-122. 10.1016/S0952-8733(99)00002-1

This study assessed the relative power and influence of leading state-level policy actors in higher education in Florida. On the basis of that assessment, a hierarchy of power and influence among principal policy actors was constructed. The data indicate that Florida’s higher education leaders agree on the relative ability of various policy actors to influence policy formation. Policy elites in higher education were found to be legislators and key legislative staff consultants, along with the chancellor of the state university system and the Board of Regents of the system. Among the least influential in policy formation were faculty and student interest groups and educational research organizations. The data also indicate that higher education leaders do not perceive that shared authority is the dominant pattern of governance in higher education in Florida. © 1999 International Association of Universities. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All Rights Reserved.