Understanding institutional climate enhances decision-making capacity when planning new programs and improving learning environments on college campuses. This chapter defines climate, discusses the purpose and advantages of climate assessment, and identifies important factors to consider in planning and conducting a personal and social…

This case study reviews the emergence and evolution of eCore (the University System of Georgia's electronically delivered undergraduate core courses) over eight years and summarizes the issues, ongoing challenges, and lessons learned from interinstitutional collaboration in offering and administering a "virtual" shared core. The bulk of…

When considering new career programs, college presidents must balance need and temptation with economic reality, yet have the courage to take appropriate risks. (Author/MSE)

A brief history of the concept of scientific crime prevention is outlined, and development of a college crime prevention program is discussed, including criteria for judging proposals that address a security threat; advantages and disadvantages of three prevention approaches (informational, mechanical, human); innovations; crime in the surrounding…

The broad appeal of recycling makes it the most widespread and popular campus environmental activity. Recycling programs have a wide variety of designs and can fit into an overall waste management strategy, but effective planning for campus recycling requires awareness of a variety of issues and needs. (Author/MSE)

The potential roles of department heads, deans, and faculty development directors in guiding and monitoring the effective delivery of faculty incentives are outlined, and key factors in facilitating and inhibiting vitality and signs of increased vitality are listed. (MSE)

Museums and art galleries have potential for exciting learning programs for adult students. Courses must be consciously constructed to meet adult learners' expectations for personal growth, and detailed planning is required for complex logistical details of courses offered locally or abroad. However, good programs will have a growing audience.…

Career programs should be designed as instructional systems, with strategies and instruments for assessing student performance and outcomes developed early in the program development process, as soon as the exit abilities of graduates are defined and before the curricular and instructional patterns are established. (MSE)

Adapting faculty personnel policies through creation or revision of a faculty handbook may respond constructively to change or even serve as a catalyst for change that extends to programs, administrative organization, and the campus culture. Eight stages for policy revision are outlined. (Author/MSE)

Fragmentation of power within colleges and universities makes educational programs the element of higher education most resistant to organized change. However, over time, persistent and thoughtful leadership including encouragement of academic entrepreneurship and creation of agreement can transform these programs, as illustrated by the ongoing…

The process of reauthorization of college student financial aid legislation may be instrumental in reducing the burden and complexity of the financial aid application and need analysis process through simplification. Exempting some students, permitting more to use simplified need analysis, and streamlining reapplication are steps in the right…