College and universities that invested in the Foundation for New Era Philanthropy, now bankrupt, now find they were taken in by the organization's investment claims. Suits are being filed on behalf of investors and by the Securities and Exchange Commission, claiming fraud. Even institutions not investing in the charity may learn from the…

Wealthier colleges and universities, whose endowments have prospered as a result of rising market values, are spending more money on new programs, student aid, and faculty salaries. Some feel that colleges are still spending too little and hoarding endowment funds; others fear market domination by a small group of wealthy schools. (MSE)

Settlement of tobacco company lawsuits, currently in litigation in 22 states, would benefit college and universities holding tobacco company stock in their endowments. A number of institutions are considering divesting such stock for ethical reasons, but at most institutions the political immediacy of the issue is not great. (MSE)

A national survey shows that, although colleges and universities averaged a return of 2.9% on endowment investments in fiscal 1994, some earned substantially more and some suffered considerable losses. Data on the market value of 446 endowments on June 30, 1993, and June 30, 1994, are presented and ranked. (MSE)

A national study found private giving to colleges rose substantially in 1996, largely due to strong stock market performance. Adjusted for inflation, the rate of giving was 8.8% at a time when costs rose 2% and enrollments rose 1%. Research and doctoral universities received 67% of donations, and public institutions in this group fared better than…