对“达特茅斯学院案”的重新考察与评价

The Re-investigation and Re-evaluation of the Dartmouth Case

"达特茅斯学院案"是美国高等教育史上较为重大的事件,国内学者已对此事件进行了一定的研究。从已有的研究成果来看,国内学者对该案的认识和评价还存在某些误区。通过对"达特茅斯学院案"的过程进行重新梳理可以发现,该案是一场包括达特茅斯学院、新罕布什尔州政府和议会在内的多方利益的角逐,该案的历史意义并非是对"公立"和"私立"高等教育机构的区分,而是为私人财产提供法律保护,由此促进了私立学院在一定时期的快速发展。我们对"达特茅斯学院案"的历史贡献,应予以实事求是的评价。

The Dartmouth Case is a significant event in the history of American higher education, on which the domestic researchers have done some studies. However, according to the existed achievements, there are some misunderstandings for domestic researches. By re-describing the historical process of the Dartmouth Case, and then re-analyzing the characteristics and significance of this case on a more adequate basis of relevant historical documents and foreigner researches, we can find that this case is a kind of rival among Dartmouth College, the New Hampshire State Government and Legislature in many ways. The historical significance of this case is not the differentiation of ＂public＂ and ＂private＂ higher education, but the protection of private property and the promotion of the development of private colleges in a specific period. The historical significance of Dartmouth Case should be evaluated in a realistic and pragmatic approach.