On The University-Running Ideas Of Harvard University

The university–running ideas refers to the ideas on how to operate a university, which includes some rational knowledge, the pursuit of ideal, and some related educational theories and ideas. The history of modern universities' development shows that, without identified and advanced university–running ideas, it would be very hard to make achievements for a university which exists as a high-level teaching and research institution. It is the identified and advanced university–running ideas that motivate and propel the university to advance. Therefore, it is of realistic significance to explore the university–running ideas among the leading universities in the world for the construction of the leading world universities in China. This study focuses on the university–running ideas, examines and analyzes the historical development of the university–running ideas of Harvard University which serves as a case in this research, aiming at revealing the role that the university–running ideas has played during the process of its becoming the leading university in the world through such examination and analysis, and purposing gaining some illumination from it to benefit China to construct the leading university in the world. In terms of the evolvement of the university–running ideas in Harvard University, the dissertation mainly examines the university–running ideas during the following three periods respectively, namely, the former half part of the 19th century, the period after Civil War, and the period after the second World War. In the former half part of the 19th century, the university–running ideas of Harvard University was characterized by tradition retaining, which was lingering between tradition and transformation. Such a characteristic also existed in the reform of instructional system, the rise of professional schools, and the development of science education. After the Civil War, the theme of the university–running ideas of Harvard University was transformation, which manifested itself in the following aspects: universities' serving for the country, the implementation of selective system and intensive distribution system, the change and development of professional schools, and the establishment of the university's research function. After the Second World War, the university–running ideas of Harvard University was marked with innovation, which can be shown through its ideas of international education, the ideas of General Education and Core Curriculum. During the evolvement of the university–running ideas of Harvard University, academic freedom is the fundamental idea that Harvard University has always persisted. It can be illustrated from the evolvement of the university–running ideas of Harvard University that, first of all, the iuniversity–running ideas is not only limited by the social economic and cultural development, but also restricted by its own tradition. Tradition and transformation is the basic contradiction in the development of universities, and the innovation of the university–running ideas is the key to the university's vitality and vigor. Second, the shaping of the university– running ideas is closely tied in with certain historical setting, and it's marked with a strong feature of certain era. There existed different university–running ideas in Harvard University in different historical periods during its development. In the first half part of the 19th century, Harvard University gradually lost its leading position among American universities in the fierce competition, because it persisted and retained the traditional university–running ideas. However, since the beginning of the latter part of the 19th century, Harvard University constantly renewed its university–running ideas with the development of society, which not only made the university adapt to society, but also led society to advance, and therefore made the university keep its vitality and vigor. Third, the interaction between a university and environment serves as the basic premise of the development of the university. Any university is a production of both heritage and environment. During the development of a university, social environment is the precondition on which the university can depend, and the university has to meet the need of social environment. However, the university should not simply adapt to society, and it should distinguish itself from some other social institutions and maintain its own characteristics while adapting to society. The evolvement of university–running ideas in Harvard University illuminated that, on the one hand, universities should adapt to society, while on the other hand, universities should not lose its distinct characters while meetingthe need of society. Finally, the university should locate itself properly and retain its academic characteristic, and serve the country and society according to its own characteristics. Harvard University is the oldest university in America, and had a high reputation in America before the 19th century, but compared with the European universities, it lagged behind in terms of academic standard. Since the latter part of the 19th century, Harvard University put its emphasis on improving academic level and regarded it as a basic idea of operating a university, which greatly improved its academic reputation, and set a solid foundation for its being a leading university in the world. Since then, Harvard University has been keeping its academic characteristic and serving American society according to its own characteristics. Based on deep examination of the university–running ideas of Harvard University, the author of this dissertation further analyzes the factors that influenced the university–running ideas of Harvard University, pointing out that there are mainly three important factors as follows: social environment, the role of the university president, and higher education management system. Furthermore, the author also analyzes the relationship between tradition and transformation, borrowing for reference and innovation with regard to the university–running ideas. At last, the author draws some illumination from the university–running ideas of Harvard University, namely, First, the cultivating goal of a university should be constantly adjusted; Second, academic characteristic should be maintained, and the standard of instruction and research should be constantly improved; Third, a leading university should base on its distinct features, therefore, it is important to shape a unique university–running ideas; Finally, academic freedom should be persisted and well-established academic atmosphere is necessary.