The complex assessment movement in higher education is examined from the perspectives of how it is being implemented on four university campuses (University of Virginia, University of Connecticut, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and King's College, Pennsylvania) and what its prospects are for a lasting effect on undergraduate study. (MSE)

Discusses, in the context of the National Research Council's next study of research-doctorate programs, arguments over continuing use of reputational surveys as the primary measure of program quality, as opposed to more objective measures of research performance. Eleven tables rank institutions for specific fields by reputation, citation density,…

The purposes and methods behind Gourman's rankings of American colleges and universities, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, are outlined and discussed, and the controversy surrounding his publications, which have had a significant impact in education, is examined. (MSE)

The Sloan Commission on Government and Higher Education Report, which tries to reconcile the demand for government aid with the maintenance of institutional independence, is discussed. The response to the commission's report is described. The commission's influence is seen to be undercut by its composition--mostly members of private institutions.…

Controversies and problems plaguing Nova University and especially its off-campus colleges, which grant diplomas in 23 states, are examined. Criticisms include claims that masters and doctoral degrees are handed out too readily, admission policies are ill defined, and instructors are not qualified. Nova's severe financial difficulty is also…

Discussed is the difficulty encountered in teaching humanities to underprepared students at Florida A & M University, where 90 percent of the students are in the special admissions category that permits enrollment of students who score below the entrance requirement. Administrative neglect of the humanities is also addressed. (JMD)

The full data set on which the "U.S. News and World Report" rankings of doctoral programs were based is presented and discussed. Rankings are for economics, English, history, political science, psychology, and sociology programs. Discussion addresses the methodology used and makes comparisons with National Academy of Sciences 1982…

Ten higher education professionals and one college senior comment on the "U.S. News and World Report" rankings of doctoral programs in six liberal arts disciplines. The authors' response to one set of comments and the comments of an executive editor from the magazine are also included. (MSE)