Power conflicts in governance structure of higher learning institutions present themselves mainly in imbalance between mighty government but weak higher learning institutions, oversocialization and over-marketization of higher education and the obscure border between society and higher learning institutions. The source of such power conflicts lies in the situation that governmental executive control over all kinds of things is still a popular practice, the reality that the thinking of pursuit of benefit is still deeply rooted in society and the fact that the rent-seeking nature of collegiate executive power remains little improved. To change the power conflicts in governance structure of higher learning institutions, governmental means of educational executive administration must be changed and its function of edicational administration be reestablished. Moreover, a public platform of education service should be established to regularize limited involvement of market in education. Equally important, the executive colour of higher learning institutions should be weakened and the authority of academic power should be restored.

higher learning institution; governance structure; power conflict; power management