How Universities Work by John V. Lombardi

• DOI: 10.1353/jhe.2015.0019
• Publication Date: 2015-06-21T13:01:05Z
• Authors: Anita Cory; Kelly Ward
• Keywords: Realm

Reviewed by: How Universities Work by John V. Lombardi Anita Cory and Kelly Ward Work. Lombardi. 2013. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. 220 pp. Paperback ISBN: 978-421411224 ($24.95). E-book 978-1421411231 For higher education scholars of a certain age, it’s hard not to look at Lombardi’s book, Work, have Robert Birnbaum’s (1988), Colleges Work: The Cybernetics Academic Organization Leadership, come mind. book presented four models organization describing different types college administrative cultures. It was continues be an influential for scholars, students, practitioners wanting learn more about the education. Now, than two decades later, in authoring provides his expert, honest, and, times, cynical, treatise on complexities university management, largely with focus research universities United States. Given parallel titles, it is books tandem, but similarities essentially end titles. work empirically based personal experience. In shares insights from years as senior level administrator large complex public settings Louisiana, Massachusetts, Florida. lessons learned increasingly realm makes clear that industry, colleges are unique function like no other. There many people involved roles such faculty, staff, alumni volunteers, governing board members. By virtue experience, Lombardi, believe themselves knowledgeable familiarity student post-secondary and/or having worked settings. organized around functional areas within universities. Each chapter serves thought-provoking essay into issues teaching, research, financing budgeting, measuring quality success, managing human resources (including system tenure processes), change processes (many often micromanaged outside regulation governance). book’s chapters cover gamut terms topics facing sees engine, rather ‘widget-producer’ shows how way organizing mystifies fuels contentious debate should producing graduates [End Page 663] prepared particular jobs upon graduation, facilitated growth, development, learning said graduates. does provide overview concepts used throughout, much critical analysis. Higher professionals all likely find similar dry lacking application, employs approach. witty yet succinct treatment he uses convey message quick read. includes aspects readers who interest education, familiar nuances function, may helpful. insightfully describes role shell academic core “quality engine” (p. 2). engine refers machine acquires produces through even administration. explains characteristics well structure, operational modes, political nature, funding private institutions. university, comprised faculty guilds, “the most important part because they define create university’s substance” Further, these guilds “enable other functions related teaching research” guild sets standards rigor up coming graduate junior tenure-track ultimately validates members their peer-reviewed basis membership or advancement field. aggregate result of...