The second half of this century has witnessed a global boom in higher education. Today, in both the developing and industrialized worlds, the vital role of higher education in society is accepted. However, as the end of the second millennium draws near, we must reflect upon the university as an institution; we must look at its accomplishments, examine its failures, and chart a course for its future. The University as an Institution Today interweaves the themes of history, theory, and administration in probing the fundamentals of the university ideal. Its philosophy, missions, functions, objectives, structures, and service to culture and professions are all rigorously examined. The result is a unique reference book that will captivate and guide its reader through the university and the world of higher education today.