Focusing on the high failure rate among first-year learners, particularly at black universities, explored student perceptions of their studies. Found that for these students, learner preparation was a non-significant, while lecture style was a significant, influence on their perceptions of university studies. Recommends that students be taught to…

If one's reference point is university life a generation ago, one can say that things are getting better for gay faculty, students, administrators, and staff. College administrators need to take an activist stance to counteract misinformation about gays and cultural prejudices, and the growing problem of hate-motivated incidents. (MLW)

Drawing from research on the non-classroom development of commuter and residential college students, presents an overview of the developmental patterns of the two groups and discusses causes of the differences between them. Considers faculty and peer group influences and the development of self-concept. (DMM)

Predominantly white colleges have had mixed results in efforts to raise money among minority alumni. Poor response to programs among this group is attributed to alienation because of campus racial incidents, limited family resources or heavier financial obligations, and resentment of their alma maters. (MSE)

Examines the influence that membership in communities internal and external to an institution of higher learning might have on persistence or nonpersistence in pursuit of a degree among adult undergraduates. Findings suggest that membership in a supportive community is an important factor in explaining persistence. (JPS)

The institutional memory of a college or university depends largely on staff continuity and student memory. By encouraging graduates to tell their stories about the institution, advancement professionals can foster alumni desire to give to the institution. Topics and themes might include faculty and curricular experiences, social/extracurricular…

Based on a study of the general education statements and course requirements of 322 colleges/universities, describes 4 types of curricula--the diverse, personalized/individual, integrative curricula, and interdisciplinary core/major dominated programs. Ties each type to institutional characteristics, faculty teaching practices, and student…

When events or circumstances (war, conversion to coeducation, class size) have disrupted college class cohesiveness or alumni identification with a class or institution, creative planning can bring them back to campus. Segmentation into interest groups may also unite alumni with each other and the institution. (MSE)

Increasingly, colleges and universities are populated with nontraditional students with families, and family programs are a popular addition to traditional campus activities. Institutions are discovering that family programs encourage participation of these students in the college community and are good public relations. A variety of programming…

In the fall 1996 issue of this journal, Maxine Schmitz argued against the California Supreme Court's ruling in "Smith" that the University must provide a partial refund to students objecting to fees used for activities supporting a single political or ideological viewpoint. Annette Gibbs defends the "Smith" majority opinion.…

Convergence of digital communications technology is changing the nature of relationships between postsecondary institutions, students, and private sector. The current predictable, ordered world of interinstitutional relationships is being replaced by one of perpetual change. Contemporary relationships can be modeled using central place theory, but…

Distance (n=37) and campus-based (n=68) nursing students completed the Learning Support Needs Questionnaire. Both groups had significant learning support needs. The distance group had lower expectations of support, and the campus-based group was significantly less satisfied with support. (Contains 31 references.) (SK)

The Open University's experiences provide the following recommendations for student retention: specialized advisory and guidance staff, accurate and relevant information, establishment of relationships with students, design of courses well suited to students' needs, ownership by the university community of student support services, a sense of…

Evaluation of gender differences between students and between parents based on the perceived financial, social, psychological, physical, and functional risks associated with college selection. Nineteen criteria associated with these risks were evaluated for significant gender differences as well as for their level of importance by gender in the…

This report examines the extent to which California high school students fail to meet the high school course requirements for admission to California's four-year public universities. It investigates students' course-taking patterns and whether the courses they take meet the universities' entrance requirements. Because students from a variety of…