Reports on investments in the United States (including database activities) by four Dutch publishing companies--Elsevier-NDU, VNU, Kluwer, Wolters Samsom Group. An analysis of the reasons behind these investments, the solidness of the companies, the approach to the U.S. information market, and the knowledge transfer to Europe are highlighted. (EJS)

Older adults in the early 21st century will likely work longer and need increased resources for retirement. Family/consumer sciences professionals should stress less reliance on conventional wisdom about investment and lifestyles and encourage creative approaches to increase personal savings. (SK)

The stock-market crash of 1987 and its effect on college endowment funds are discussed. An informal survey found the market value of nine college endowments had slipped over the past year. The experiences of several colleges and universities are described. (MLW)

Includes "The Coolness Factor" (Julie Creswell); "Cool Companies 1998" (Melanie Warner et al.); "Four Forces that Will Shape the Internet" (Andrew Kupfer); "Nashville Online. A Case Study: Has the Internet Changed Anything at All?" (Eryn Brown); and "Electronic Books Are Coming at Last!" (Carol…

Lower-than-anticipated returns in the bond market and higher-than-expected tuition increases have forced Duquesne University to discontinue the nation's first prepaid-tuition program and is causing other institutions to reevaluate the idea. However, interest remains high among some. (MSE)

States are moving away from plans allowing parents to pay for their children's education at a fixed rate years in advance, instead looking at plans that simply help parents save money. Of the nine guaranteed-tuition programs, only three are in operation, and some are pressing for a national program. (MSE)

Colleges are offering innovative financing plans, some risky, that allow families to pay college costs in a rational manner and in turn keep enrollment up. They include tuition futures plans, electronic funds transfer, gift certificates, credit card payments, megaloans, tuition stabilization plans, institutional loans, tuition matching, and…

A national study of 272 funds that gathered information on investments' market gains as well as interest and dividend income shows last year's increase in the value of the average endowment was the second-highest 1-year return recorded in the last 12 years. (MSE)

The Real Estate Investment Trust, a companion organization to the Common Trust, allows colleges to commit as little as $50,000 for investments in commercial properties at minimum risk, which could protect endowments while providing returns comparable to those of the stock market. (MSE)

The executive summary of of TIAA-CREF's Special Trustee Joint Committee's report "TIAA-CREF: The Future Agenda," cites new accumulation funds and pay-out vehicles; transferability of annuity accumulations; reporting, services, and planning for policy holders and institutions; and governance and implementation. (MLW)

The preliminary findings of a broad national study indicate that the value of college and university endowments has risen substantially for the second year in a row, outpacing inflation, due mostly to the rise in stock prices in the past year. (MSE)

Although college finance officers are worried about the consequences of a drop in the value of their endowments because of Wall Street fluctuations, most have expressed concern about the effects on the general economy. If the nation has sluggish economic growth, the financial impact on higher education could be severe. (MLW)

Top business schools in the 1980's have sent more students to Wall Street's investment and brokerage houses than in past years when the schools were considered training grounds for corporate managers. With Wall Street's gyrations, business students are thinking about jobs in marketing and sales. (MLW)

The pension-issues committee of the Higher Education Secretariat has issued a report backing an earlier proposal to permit college employees to withdraw more of their accumulated funds at the time of retirement as a one-time funds-transfer benefit, but dropping a call for potential withdrawal at any point during a career. (MSE)

Discusses achievements of an expanding public sector in education, health, and income maintenance. Also discusses adverse consequences of developments in these areas as related to labor supply and demand and to savings and investment. Effects of government tax and spending policies on the distribution of income are also addressed. (JN)