Radical Reform of the French University System

Abstract

The French university system is in crisis. After its dismantlement during the French revolution, its rebirth was progressive under the third republic (1871–1945). But it was only after 1968 that the current universities developed, with an autonomy that is strictly supervised by the state. Since 1986 all experiments at modernizing the management of universities have failed. A research crisis in 2004, followed by another one in the winter of 2006, demonstrated an urgent need to set up necessary reform. Several university leaders and politicians urged it. The law of August 2007 is a first step towards achieving these hopes.

Notes

1. The English translation was provided by Arthur Chandler.

2. Available at http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mouvement_contre_le_projet_Devaquet.

3. Interview with Gilles de Robien, former French Minister for National Education, Higher Education and Research on Europe 1 (16 March 2006).

Q. Cela veut dire, que les présidents d'universités, qui ont appelé au retrait ou à la suspension du texte, sont irresponsables?

R. Ce n'est pas dans leur rôle, c'est irresponsable. Ils feraient mieux de s'occuper des étudiants et de ne pas faire de politique! Il n'y en a jamais que quatre, si vous me permettez, et il y en a 84 universités, donc il faut relativiser les choses.

[Q. That means that university presidents who ask for the suspension or suppression of the law project are irresponsible.

A. It is not their duty, it is irresponsible. They will do better in copping their students than to make politic! They are only four amongst 84 universities.]

4. Available at http://cip‐etats‐generaux.apinc.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique = 130.

5. G. Béréziat, forthcoming publication.

6. The French National Convention (1792–1795).

7. Cotation Assisté en Continue principal indice boursier français.

8. Dans le langage courant l'intitulé Web of Science désigne généralement Science Citation Index Expanded.

9. Green Paper on the European Research Area: New Perspectives was available at http://www.see‐science.eu/news/1826.html, but was closed on 31 August 2007.