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Abstract
In May and June 1996, at the end of the last term of office, interviews were conducted with 11 rectors of higher education institutions. The interviewers were interested in finding out the direction in which higher schools in Poland have moved in the last six years. Was this progress or regression? Which factors were conducive to progress? Which ones were obstacles to it? In order to obtain a detailed answer, the rectors were asked about their greatest accomplishments and greatest setbacks, about the three greatest problems of Polish higher education and how they are manifested in individual institutions. The interviewers were interested in an assessment of the existing legal acts and the possibilities which they offer for effective management of a higher education institution. Finally, the rectors were asked about the policy of the state towards higher education institutions and who should determine it. The responses of the rectors provide a fascinating picture of Polish higher education 6 years after the introduction of the Higher Education Act. The general conclusion is that the reforms are moving ahead, but too slowly and in the face of strong resistance from the academic community, with catastrophic shortages of funds and lack of an overall vision and policy of the state towards higher education institutions.