College business officers should examine whether they and their institutions are practicing stress-inducing activities, and modify current practice to reduce stress on employees. Stresses can originate in the organizational framework, managerial style, or manager personality. Review of individual and organizational actions possible causing stress…

Compares public and private sector recruitment behavior in Malaysia, focusing on employers' perspectives of higher education's functions. The public sector values academic records, whereas private industry seeks workers with experience and good affective skills. Both sectors want universities to produce graduates with problem-solving abilities.…

Suggestions for motivating institutional advancement staff at colleges and universities include nonfinancial motivators (such as appreciation, team building, empowerment, professional development opportunities, flexibility, and formal recognition) and financial rewards (such as bonuses and merit pay). (DB)

The American Council on Education's 2-year process of investigation, study, and selection that resulted in the council's movement from TIAA/CREF as its only available retirement plan, to a total of 15 retirement options offered by two insured annuity companies and two mutual fund companies is described. (MLW)

Because so many Americans can afford to save for children's college costs but do not, it is proposed that employers take a more active role in promoting college financial planning. Possible solutions include company-sponsored contributory accounts, educational savings plans; payroll deduction plans, educational annuity programs, subsidized or…

In recent years, tenure has increasingly come under fire as an anachronism, not only for appearing to be out of touch with modern society but also as protection for the allegedly incompetent. Administrators and governing boards find themselves spending inordinate time defending it. So, in March 2005, the University of Colorado took the…

Personnel administrators should insist on a well-managed exit interview process to monitor departmental turnover and to acquire feedback about the working environment. Some procedures to develop an effective process are discussed. (MLW)

Legal requirements and lawsuits have become an established part of the U.S. higher education. This book was written to help faculty and administrators navigate critical legal issues pertaining to faculty activities and avoid potential legal pitfalls. The chapters are: (1) The Lay of the Land; (2) Scholarship; (3) In the Classroom; (4) Faculty as…

Intended for business officers of colleges and universities, this article lists and explains the 20 rules suggested by the Internal Revenue Service for determining whether a service provider is an employee or an independent contractor. (DB)

Review of coaching contracts from approximately 50 institutions of higher education led to development of a model contract. Guidelines for university counsel include stating explicitly all items that the university intends to provide as compensation and stating the exact terms of the contract and the repercussions if either side prematurely…

Fund-raising campaigns among the employees of colleges and universities have been very successful in some cases, and have not only involved both current and retired faculty and staff but have also built institutional unity and led to increased external giving. Examples of institutional campaigns provide insights into the planning of such programs.…

College and university personnel managers are urged to pay more attention to employees who operate behind the scenes by: finding a champion among them; linking work with institutional mission; hiring the best; encouraging customer service; soliciting ideas; fostering trust; enlarging responsibility; not upstaging; providing the best equipment; and…

A discussion of mandatory drug testing for college athletes reviews the National Collegiate Athletic Association's policy, arguments for and against such testing, the results of relevant court litigation, and the legal ramifications for college administration. The testing of employees in both public and private sectors is also briefly addressed.…

The important role of academic department secretaries at institutions of higher education is considered in the context of a survey of 121 academic department support staff. Possible strategies for retaining these valuable employees are offered, including accurate position descriptions, appropriate compensation, team-building programs, and special…

Practical advice is offered, to managers and supervisors at any level, on recognizing and analyzing interpersonal conflicts, managing such conflicts and making them productive, and ensuring that performance reviews result in progress for both supervisor and employee. Conflict is seen as inevitable, an opportunity to take action, and manageable.…