Describes how Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts is using a $500 million pledge, a nontenured faculty, and a group of top students to help develop a new kind of institution, the first independent, four-year engineering college created in 40 years. (EV)

A plan to reinvigorate the University of Minnesota focuses on undergraduate education, encouraging recruitment of top high school graduates, improved retention, closer faculty-student relationships, and improved campus social climate. Critics find the plan vague, student leaders decry lack of student involvement in planning, minority groups call…