Student Activists' Characterizations of Administrators in Higher Education: Perceptions of Power in 'the System'

This study investigated student activists' characterizations of administrators at a southern university in the United States. Findings from interviews with 26 activists indicate that they perceive administrators as gatekeepers, antagonists, supporters, and absentee leaders. Activists had limite...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Review of higher education 2005-03, Vol.28 (3), p.295-312
Main Authors: Ropers-Huilman, Becky, Carwile, Laura, Barnett, Kathy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activism
Administrator Responsibility
Administrator Role
Administrators
Citizen Participation
College Administration
College Environment
College Students
Cultural Pluralism
Higher education
Interviews
Perceptions
School administration
Social Change
Student Attitudes
Student behavior
Student Participation
United States
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Summary:This study investigated student activists' characterizations of administrators at a southern university in the United States. Findings from interviews with 26 activists indicate that they perceive administrators as gatekeepers, antagonists, supporters, and absentee leaders. Activists had limited understandings of the roles and responsibilities of administrators as leaders in higher education. They expressed a desire to develop stronger relationships with administrators, both to enhance their ability to participate in the campus community and to be an integral part of shaping the university and, through the university, society.
ISSN:0162-5748
1090-7009
1090-7009
DOI:10.1353/rhe.2005.0012