For the twenty-ninth year, the Research and Theory Division of the Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) is sponsoring the publication of these Proceedings. Papers published in this volume were presented at the National AECT Convention in Orlando, Florida. The Proceedings of AECT's Convention are published in two…

The social network characteristics of a culturally and racially diverse group of first-year college students (n=208) and white students (n=84) attending the same college were examined at the time of college entry and at the beginning of the second semester. Relationships between network characteristics and college adjustment in the second semester…

This report of Virginia's Commission on the University of the 21st Century first examines the changes occurring within Virginia in its transition from an agricultural/industrial state into one heavily involved in information and technology. Next, the need to increase literacy in mathematics, science, and technology is discussed, as is the need to…

Minority and white students at an urban university were compared on roles and on the correlates of overall satisfaction with the university and retention. The sample consisted of 1,497 undergraduates: 1,370 white students, 148 black students, 20 Native Americans, and 14 Hispanics. The black, Hispanic, and Native American students were combined to…

A study was conducted to determine the manner in which special needs services were organized in all 39 community college districts of Illinois, the types of services offered, the coordinator's informational needs regarding services offered, and the types of post-college transitional services offered to special needs students. The study was…

Guidelines to enhancing the freshman year experience are presented in the following chapters: (1) "A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Freshman Success" (M. Lee Upcraft, John N. Gardner); (2) "Who Are Today's Freshmen?" (Arthur Levine); (3) "A Historical Look at the Freshman Year Experience" (John Orr Dwyer); (4) "Understanding Student…

To address the lack of academic and social preparation that many rural Alaskans have when they first arrive at college, in 1985 Sheldon Jackson College (Sitka, Alaska) initiated the Early College Incentive Program (ECIP) to expose junior high students to college learning and living requirements, reduce cultural shock (Sheldon Jackson's student…

Attitudes of college seniors toward Saint Mary's College were surveyed in 1981. Of the 403 surveys, 175 responses were obtained. The following areas were addressed: choice of major/career, satisfaction with assistance in choosing a major or making educational plans, plans for the future, evaluation of major program, evaluation of programs abroad,…

A regent's view of both the dramatic events and daily operations of the University of New Mexico (UNM) from 1960 to 1981 is presented. Following a background chapter that discusses the basic theme of the book and President Popejoy's term of office at UNM, Part Two, "Student Strike," examines: President Heady's immediate trials as…

The results of an evaluation study of selected educational institutions and students participating in direct school lending under the Federal Insured Student Loan Program (FISLP) is presented. Proprietary schools, which as a group have had a history of high default rates, and institutions of higher education, which are becoming the primary…

The effect of the managerial style of a college's administrative team on student and faculty behaviors is examined. Reported are the findings of a five-year nationwide study that collected data on the style of administrations at each of 49 colleges and universities and information on the degree of student and faculty satisfaction and involvement…

The need for college trustees and administrators to develop better procedures and management techniques to minimize potential liability to lawsuits is addressed. A trend for seeking judicial relief on campuses and suits filed against deans, trustees, and presidents, as well as the school, are noted. Trustees need to be informed about new…

Various topics concerning assessment in higher education are considered in five papers. In "Defining and Measuring the Competencies of a Liberal Arts Education," David G. Winter proposes that liberal arts competencies can be assessed by creative new quantitative strategies and outlines five important criteria, or standards, as well as measures of…

Vocational education teachers in the areas of trade and industry, health occupations, and vocational business education can be hired without a bachelor's degree in Florida, provided they have at least 6 years of experience in their occupational field. However, these teachers must become certified by taking a prescribed number of courses within 2…

This annual report on the performance of the three Arizona universities, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona, informs the general public, elected officials, business leaders, and consumers of higher education about the universities' progress and milestones. In preparing the report, the universities…