This book seeks to describe broadly some of the important historic movements in the evolution of American higher education, and to explore some of its major philosophical principles and traditions, as a way to understand the issues that currently challenge higher education and to examine current efforts for reform and renewal. The book's 10 chapters center around the following issues: (1) "Portraits in Diversity: The Scope of America's Investment in Higher Education"; (2) "Purpose and Performance: The Evolution of Higher Education Mission and Goals"; (3) "Guardians and Governance: The Culture of Decision and Authority in Academic Life"; (4) "Competence and Conscience: The Challenge of Curriculum and Program Design"; (5) "Performance Accountability: The Evidence of Quality"; (6)"Forms of Finance: The Uses of Fiscal Policy"; (7) "Student Life and Development: The Mosaic of Student Influence and Involvement"; (8) "Faculty Role and Responsibility: "The Perceptions of Professorial Performance"; (9) "Academic and Athletics: The Arenas of Ideological and Physical Contest"; and (10) "Reform and Renewal: The Dance of Change and Tradition." (Contains approximately 300 references.) (CH)