U.S. Supreme Court Cases in Higher Education

The relationship between the law and higher education institutions, as well as that between the law and those institutions' faculties, students, administrations, and governing boards, has changed dramatically throughout the history of higher education in the United States. Values in the larger society have often been mirrored in cases concerning issues that have arisen on campuses. Since the first American institutions of higher learning were established, colleges and universities have seen the presence of the law grow on campus, as their autonomy has faced serious challenges, and the essential relationships between and among faculty members, students, administrators, and governing boards have evolved. During this time, themes involving authority and autonomy have emerged. This entry provides an overview of major higher education cases, focusing primarily, but ...