The relationship between faculty members and the press is complicated. Judging by surface similarities, one might think reporters and academics would get along well. Both groups care about words and ideas, and in both careers, people can make their names by challenging conventional wisdom and framing issues in new ways. Critics of both groups…

Many public colleges feel that, rather than offer specialized curriculum to the entire state, they should provide a wide range of courses to the immediate vicinity. State governments often prefer to cut quantity of programs offered, especially by regional four-year institutions. Massachusetts is proceeding with specialization in seven regional…

A plan for all of the state of Maryland's 13 public colleges and universities to be included in the University of Maryland System is discussed. The system would be governed by a board of regents, and each college would have a board of trustees to monitor campus issues. (MLW)

A special committee studying possible changes in Texas higher education is considering a variety of politically troubling alternatives including institutional reclassifications, faculty salary and tenure changes, funding alternatives, restructured governance, and mergers and closings. (MSE)

The California Legislature approved a bill to reform the state's community-college system by transferring most of the Legislature's power over the colleges to the state board that coordinates their governance. The bill also makes major changes in the colleges financing, the courses they offer, and the tenure process. (MLW)

The University of California's decision to end some racial preferences used in admissions and hiring is seen by some as an admission of long-term violations of federal court rulings, and as an effort to stem a voter revolt against affirmative action. The regents' vote on the policy is expected to be close. (MSE)

Changes being made in public college governance are increasingly motivated by state governments' desire to have state boards exercise more policy leadership on some difficult higher education issues, including setting up productive university-industry economic development ventures, minority student recruiting, and improving teacher education. (MSE)

Serving as a special master of a federal court, Paul R. Verkuil, the president of the College of William and Mary, developed a plan to integrate Louisiana's colleges. A governance structure, ending racial characteristics of historically Black colleges, and a quota for Black membership on the governing board are proposed. (MLW)

The departure of the University of North Carolina's able and powerful president, William P. Friday, has prompted much debate about the structure and governance of the university system and its relationship to the state legislature. (MSE)

Higher education has emerged as a big issue in Louisiana's fall election campaign. Finance, governance, admissions standards, and desegregation are discussed. The six candidates include Governor Edwin W. Edwards, Billy Tauzin, Jim Brown, Speedy O. Long, Robert L. Livingston, and Buddy Roemer. (MLW)

While it is a land-grant university with ambitious plans, the University of the District of Columbia faces the problems posed by its urban context, expectations, small endowment, administrative turnover, and administrative scandals. (MSE)

Despite positive outward signs, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seen by some as resting on its reputation. Faculty and alumni complain that intrusive regulation by the state, lack of respect by the university system administration, and inadequate financial support are endangering its quality. (MSE)

A federal court ruling to desegregate Louisiana state colleges and universities would require substantial changes, including creation of a single governing board and system, designation of Louisiana State University as a selective flagship institution, creation of a community college system, reduction of program duplication, and affirmative…