Silos & stovepipes : the rationalization of higher education in Nova Scotia during the 1990s

Abstract

This thesis looks at the rationalization negotiations between the Nova Scotia provincial government and its universities during the 1990s. The first chapter of this thesis places these negotiations into an historical context by looking at previous amalgamation attempts. In this section it is argued that, during the Carnegie Federation Scheme in the 1920s, Dalhousie University was exposed to and later embraced an institutional paradigm inspired by German research universities founded during the 19th century. The second chapter of this thesis explores the forces that brought about the founding of the Nova Scotia Council on Higher Education (NSCHE), the arm's-length organization created by government in consultation with the universities during the 1980s. The final chapter traces the rationalization negotiations during their apex. Ultimately it is argued when the rationalization process became politicized Dalhousie's response was to push for amalgamation. This resulted in a counter-proposal, which the provincial government supported.