It is proposed that an external audit of a college advancement program is analogous to a periodic physical examination that offers objectivity and expertise. Audits are appropriate at the time of administrative transitions, performance difficulties, and even periods of sustained success. Guidelines and expectations are discussed. (MSE)

Louisiana State University applied a wholistic philosophy to its computer applications development. The new standards provide a step-by-step plan for the entire application process, from initiation to implementation and maintenance; list required deliverables instead of rules; and allow the programer and analyst flexibility to exercise technical…

Analysis of the first cycle of academic program review at the College of St. Catherine (Minnesota) discusses recommendations resulting from reviews, insights about faculty and committee perceptions, and new directions for the second cycle. It is noted that the second cycle will focus more on program activities and output than on traditional input…

The proposed use of performance indicators for evaluating higher education institutions in a number of countries is critically analyzed, particularly regarding their use for institutional and program rankings and comparisons. A more developmental system retaining positive aspects of performance indicators and encouraging program improvement is…

Colleges and universities that have begun transformational changes are seeing strong, positive results, including better service to students, faster completion of transactions, more accurate and timely information, and reduction in administrative personnel. Three elements are common to the approaches taken to institutional transformation:…

A team leadership program for academic administration was undertaken at the University of Akron under Kellogg Foundation Funding. A screened sample of 108 persons was admitted to training, which consisted of role analysis, education in the structure and function of the university and higher education in general, team building, analysis of…

The change process was examined in a community college in which there was evidence of events precipitating change, including leadership succession, new management/governance structures, proposed cultural shifts, and a period of rapid growth. The case illustrates that not all organizational change is positive, and that those promoting change should…

Recent experiences of manufacturing and commercial service industries provide insights to college facilities managers for combining downsizing with quality improvement. The Service Excellence Model emphasizes creation of shared responsibility, focus on core service processes, empowerment of cross-functional process-improvement teams, performance…

A study of program review at 156 community colleges shows that it is widely used for accountability and program improvement; that substantial use is made of results; and that key leadership support, organizational communication, a clear understanding of purposes, and frequent action on program review recommendations at all organizational levels…

The summative evaluation of the Small College Consortium (SCC) for the school year 1977-78 examined the project to assess: its perceived impact; the effectiveness of the project staff; the adequacy of the budget available to each college; the degree to which comprehensive, integrated, ongoing development has taken hold; perceived needs for future…

Development of community outreach partnership centers (COPCs) requires adaptations in the university environment. Institutions must reexamine and reinterpret the roles and responsibilities of faculty, design of the undergraduate curriculum, structures of the university that create the capacity to support and sustain different working relationships…

A nationwide longitudinal study was undertaken by the Higher Education Research Institute in Los Angeles to study the impact of Exxon Education Foundation's Resource Allocation Management Program on the 49 institutions receiving grants under the program. The focus was the behavioral consequences of management changes for administrators, staff, and…

Budget reforms adopted at the University of Montana and by the Arkansas state higher education system illustrate a variety of strategies for long-range planning. These efforts include reform of faculty collective bargaining, funding based on productivity enhancement, and a multiyear fiscal plan encompassing both operating and capital budgets. (MSE)

Forty-four papers are collected in this volume and categorized: invited papers on research and planning for higher education; organizational analysis; finance and resource allocation; program and outcomes analysis; modeling; evaluation; and studies of faculty and students. Abstracts of additional papers are included. (MSE)