It took five years, dozens of drafts, and a total of 14 extensions, but Congress last week was finally on the verge of passing a bill to renew the Higher Education Act, the major law governing federal student aid. The bill, after approval by the U.S. House of Representatives, was headed to the Senate, where a final vote was planned for late last…

The government agency responsible for enforcing gender equity in college sports is falling down on the job, according to a report released by the National Women's Law Center. Over the past five years, the U.S. Education Department's Office for Civil Rights -- the administrative guardian of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the law that…

Describes how some colleges are afraid that Republican plans to repeal the federal estate tax could hurt institutions' fund raising efforts. (EV)

The status of higher education bills is reported, including those signed (civil-rights appropriations, energy appropriations, science and science education, etc.) those unsigned (adult education, archives, education and health appropriations, etc.) and those that did not pass. (MLW)

Two studies found that, although the nation's wealthiest gave a smaller proportion of earnings to charity in the 1980s, the number of wealthy donors has increased. Tax law changes had less effect than predicted. Generosity appears divided between a few who give a lot and many who give little. (MSE)

Twenty-five years after passage of Title IX, federal legislation barring sex discrimination in athletics in federally-funded schools, females make up 37% of college athletes and receive 38% of athletic scholarships at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I schools. Women's participation in college sports has increased four-fold.…

A surge in bequests and individual and corporate giving have created a 17.8% increase in private support for 71 institutions in spite of tax law changes. The trend is seen as a result of a decade of serious efforts to increase planned giving. California institutions fared best. (MSE)

A law enacted last year created a new National Science Foundation program to modernize research facilities, but the program is expected to receive little or no money. The lack of funds has intensified debate over colleges' efforts to win direct appropriations from Congress for their campuses. (MLW)

Despite 1992 federal law, most American colleges receiving gifts from foreign corporations, foundations, and nations have not reported them. Institutions cite ignorance of the law. Some gifts apparently were reported but not cited in the Education Department's registry of foreign gifts. Twenty-eight large foreign gifts, grants, and pledges to…

Controversies concerning the role of college accrediting agencies are identified, including such issues as student enrollment diversity, student loan defaults, and accountability. Recent actions of the Education Department, Congress, and specialized accrediting agencies are noted, as is controversy concerning linking accreditation by a regional…

The Supreme Court will not hear the Brown University (Rhode Island) appeal in "Brown vs. Cohen," letting stand rulings that the university had violated Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments by cutting financial support for women's volleyball and gymnastics teams. Advocates for women's athletics see the court's refusal to intervene as…

The guide outlines what Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 means for equity in college athletic programs, citing the 1975 regulation and the 1979 athletics policy interpretation for a number of program aspects. Relevant litigation is also cited. (MSE)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This July 2, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "The Provost as Gatekeeper: A Former Provost Offers Advice on Managing the…