Established by Congressional Act in 1950, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is charged with a variety of responsibilities in the areas of education, research, applications of research, data gathering, and information dissemination. The foundation is governed by an appointed director and a national board and is primarily funded by the federal…

The president of the Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) describes her views of organizational change and continuity. Issues faced by AECT are listed. Steps to provide AECT with the image, vitality, and foundation of the primary organization for professionals in the field and the decisions related to achieving that goal…

This paper examines the relationship between industry and university research, focusing on developments in the United States from the 1950s through the 1980s. It found that while industry spent less than 2 percent of its research funds on academic research in 1965, it spent almost 5 percent on academic research in 1989. It also found that in the…

A growing proportion of the producers of American belles-lettres belong to the academic guild. The private patrons of writers of earlier periods have few counterparts today, and colleges and universities have taken over and enlarged the function they performed: to give writers both the wherewithal for living and a habitat, thus performing a haven…

Some of the reasons for adopting contract learning and some strategies used at Empire State College, the University of South Carolina, and Wilmington College, are useful in aiding the adoption of new ways of teaching and learning. Several useful strategies are: (1) launch a committee to study local goals and needs; (2) connect the group and…

This paper seeks to assess the current state of academic research in light of long-term trends in the development of science. It presents three perspectives on the growth of scientific research: (1) Derek de Solla Price's (1963) hypothesis that science has exhibited exponential growth, roughly doubling every 15 years since the 17th century; (2)…

This testimony discusses the future of higher education funding in California, focusing on the need to move from a system of "free" state higher education to one in which individuals receive the degree of financial aid that they need. It argues that tuition at state universities should be raised to help provide more financial aid to…

It is proposed that there are three common misconceptions and criticisms held by the general public concerning Canadian universities: (1) the view that universities are hotbeds of radicalism, alcoholism, and sexism, (2) that there is a decline in the quality of work produced by universities and in their academic standards, and (3) that…

The office of institutional research at West Virginia University, an intergral part of the university's office of planning, annually produces a fact book called "Statistical Profiles of West Virginia University." The book is used as a source of information for planning, and contains information on six topics: the university's mission; programs;…

Career education, as it currently exists, is put in perspective with reference to broader and more far-reaching proposals for dealing with the education/work dilemma in the United States. In so doing, career education is pictured as a movement that operates under a "possible change" philosophy. Current strengths of career education are…

During the late 1960's people of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation (a South Dakota area the size of Connecticut characterized by poverty, poor soil, aridity, and geographical isolation) began to consider establishment of an institution of higher education on the reservation. A consensus soon developed that a tribally-controlled community…

The broadcasting media's treatment of Appalachia was cited as one example of the massive failure of America's institutions to meet the needs of the area's people. From government at all levels to churches, private agencies, schools, colleges, labor unions, etc., the region has received an unequal share of exploitation, netlect, unfulfilled…

American universities have successfully contributed to the economic, social and technological development of the United States, educating students of diverse backgrounds and combining the teaching of graduates and undergraduates. American universities need to find ways to realistically respond to increased public expectations and continue to…