The use of focus groups to assess existing college student leadership efforts and as a step in developing better programs is examined. Procedures include assembling a planning team, identifying information needs, determining the composition of focus groups, soliciting and training volunteers, and using focus group results to design a program. (MSE)

Standards and guidelines for academic advising are presented covering mission, program, organization and administration, human resources, funding, facilities, campus and community relations, and ethics. (MLW)

Literature on faculty relationships with new students (freshmen and transfers) as it relates to orientation programs is reviewed, and an experimental Brigham Young freshman mentoring program and its outcomes are discussed. Short-range goals were achieved, students were positively influenced, and program continuance was supported. (MSE)

An inservice training program for advisers of undergraduate students that was implemented at Michigan State University in 1981 is discussed. Four primary ingredients were essential to establish and sustain the program: financial support and sponsorship by the central administration, the identification and authorization of the appropriate unit and…

The purpose of this project was to identify academic advising strategies that would be appropriate for the small, private college setting; to develop an academic advising system; and to implement the system through a trial model at Practical Bible Training School in Binghamton, New York. The model consisted of preservice and inservice training for…

The development and use of a systematic preservice academic adviser training program is described in this article. The activities involved in working through each of the steps in the systems model approach used to develop the resulting program are recounted. (Author)

Eight challenges for the future of academic advising are discussed: the development of research to provide evidence that quality advising assists in producing positive outcomes; to arouse campus decision-makers to action, to defend the value of advising during decline and retrenchment, to elevate the status of advising, etc. (MLW)

Academic advising is a significant dimension of a campus-wide retention program, stimulating a positive, personalized student-teacher relationship. Components of an advising program emphasizing retention include: institutional commitment, faculty endorsement of advisor responsibilities, advisor training, advisor evaluation and recognition, peer…

Reviews the literature and the recent history of student participation in college and university governance. Presents data from studies attempting to assess the nature and extent of such participation and examines learning opportunities in student participation. Suggests ideas and models for thinking about participation in the future. (RJM)

The advantages of cooperative education for English departments and the role of the faculty member as a consultant for the program are discussed, based on the experience of Northeastern University. Attention is directed to starting this type of program in the English department, the consultant's role as a catalyst, placing English majors, and…

Academic advising by faculty members has often been ineffective. Peer advising systems that employ peers as academic counselors may successfully address student criticism of faculty advising systems. Peer systems capitalize on the primacy of peer influence, provide an economical delivery system, and are available and accessible to students. These…

The proceedings of a 1979 Missouri symposium on doctoral programs in special education includes the texts of major addresses and position papers as well as summaries of conclusions of small working groups. The keynote speech by R. Erdman was entitled "Higher Education in the 1980's: Implications for Doctoral Programming." The speech deals with…

Examines the role of planned mentoring and claims that it can increase retention and graduation rates of culturally diverse students. Addresses causes of minority students' attrition rates and delayed graduation. Argues greater student/faculty contact can solve academic and nonacademic problems. Discusses development and administration of…

Developed for local faculty senates and individual faculty members in the California Community Colleges (CCC), this report provides suggestions, strategies, and tips for undertaking faculty mentoring efforts aimed at increasing the persistence and transfer of underrepresented students in the CCC. Following an introduction and brief discussion of…

Five factors are to be considered in redesigning teacher education programs: (1) the school's conception of its role and the teacher's role; (2) the college of education faculty's conceptions of the school's role and the teacher's role and the mesh of these with the school's conception; (3) the proper function of guidance, placement, and…