Faculty Values and Expectations and Their Implications for Teaching, Learning and the Organization of Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Particular attention, in this article, is drawn to guiding values and expectations enshrined in a deeply entrenched academic culture that influences the teaching role of faculty, student learning, and the organization of higher education institutions. The core values focused on are academic freedom, collegiality, and professional autonomy. In addition, external pressures impacting on higher education institutions that have modified the teaching role and placed long-established faculty values under increasing strain are also examined. In many countries, these values are under considerable pressure to conform to changes wrought by demographic, economic, social, technological, and other developments. The importance of institutions and their managers reacting appropriately to these changes while simultaneously safeguarding the integrity of traditional academic cultural values and expectations is stressed.