When four generations converge in the academic workplace, it can create serious culture clashes. It is happening across college campuses--in offices as diverse as admissions, student affairs, legal affairs, and technology. It is especially striking in the faculty ranks, where generational challenges have extra significance amid recruiting efforts,…

The author had been trying, and failing, for years to land a tenure-track position in English. She had a few interviews over the years, but she knew she had been typecast as an adjunct. Administrators seemed to believe that men and women under 40 were better teachers: more creative, more energetic, more attractive. And attractiveness counts among…

This article examines how librarians are struggling to redefine, and in some cases eliminate, the venerable institution of reference desk services and it explores the new ways in which reference questions get answered at university libraries. These include fielding questions through e-mail, instant messaging, and other mobile technologies, making…

This article discusses how an economists' group brought forth policy adjustments on advertising issues. Since 1986 the association has banned advertisements in its newsletter, Job Openings for Economists, that discriminate "on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual preference, or physical handicap." Facing…

Discusses how colleges in Division III of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) are exploring ideas for changes in a variety of rules, but that a survey indicates a majority want to keep things fundamentally the same. (EV)

Describes how the move of two colleges from the Big East to the Atlantic Coast Conference leaves many questions about the future of college sports. (EV)

Describes how, in the past three months, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has put more bite into penalties imposed on colleges that violate rules. Explores what is behind the pattern. (EV)

Describes how many college officials are concerned about new legislation that would make it more difficult and expensive for foreign students to obtain visas. They fear declines in enrollment, revenue, and diversity. (EV)

Describes how the College Board has approved a series of changes to the controversial SAT; a writing test will be added, along with new approaches on reading and math questions. (EV)

Discusses how a financial-aid-related rule that restricts distance education is close to being killed, but that few institutions are planning to take advantage of its demise. (EV)

Franklin and Marshall College and Gustavus Adolphus College have withdrawn recognition of their fraternities and sororities, and Bowdoin College has proposed a wide-ranging reform of its Greek system. These actions came in response to a deterioration of behavior by members of the Greek organizations. (MLW)

Greater sharing of sports revenues by all NCAA members was urged at an annual convention. Edward B. Fort, chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University, called for greater sharing of tournament revenue by institutions that do not compete in the basketball finals. Most members did not support this. (MLW)

Tables on overall appropriations and how the states rank on seven scales (appropriations for 1985-1986 per capita, per $1000 of personal income, two-year change, 10-year change, two-year change less inflation, and 10-year change less inflation) are provided. (MLW)

Explores how public colleges are adapting to a new accounting procedure that gives many of them apparent deficits. (EV)

Summaries of rules changes passed at the annual convention of the National Collegiate Athletic Association are presented. Changes occurred in academics, financial aid, amateurism, championships and extra events, membership and classification, enforcement, recruiting, eligibility, and playing seasons. (MLW)