A study of 12 university teachers' approaches to improving instruction found two types of change occurring, innovation and tinkering. The most powerful influences in stimulating and sustaining change appeared to be personal sources of satisfaction with teaching, sense of responsibility for student learning, and academic culture. (MSE)

A study is reported of how students in an honors program and a transition program for academically disadvantaged students, as well as students in the regular curriculum, become engaged in a variety of experiences and how their quality of effort in the activities is related to student growth and development. (Author/MLW)

Identifies characteristics shared by effective community colleges regardless of size and location; e.g., a strong sense of purpose, explicit goals and systematic planning, understanding of the local community, a student-centered philosophy, links between resource allocation and goals, emphasis on human resource development and renewal, ongoing…

A study of the expectations of incoming students and evaluations of graduating students regarding the educational environment at the new Athens Technological Educational Institute is reported. Student concerns focused on teacher effectiveness, instructional quality, and need for occupational information. (MSE)

The effects of work environment factors on faculty research productivity and turnover intentions were examined while controlling for prestige of the employing institution, disciplinary area, and academic rank. Available resources had a significant positive effect on research productivity. (Author/MLW)

American higher education should have three priorities: (1) show students that we are connected through the use of symbols; (2) help students understand, through science, the underlying patterns and connections of the natural world; and (3) teach students about social and civic institutions through familiarity with other cultures. (MSE)

Examines the question of whether faculty or librarians should have primary responsibility for collection development in academic libraries. The findings of recent collection evaluations are presented, and the need for cost effective collection policies that combine the expertise of faculty and librarians is discussed. (16 references) (CLB)

Social learning theory, attribution theory, and the stress-distress paradigm are used to develop a theoretical model for the psychological and social processes affecting dental student well-being and performance. Data from preliminary investigations are used to argue for the model components. (MSE)

A discussion, among several economists, is presented on the major changes in the international economy that have consequences for national, regional, and local economies, as well as implications for institutional planning and policy making. (MLW)

The movement to enhance the freshman year experience by changing the way institutions treat, welcome, assimilate, support, and inform freshman students is discussed and illustrated. The potential importance of the movement to admissions officers and registrars is emphasized. (MSE)

The death of a basketball player at the University of Maryland is giving new impetus to proposals to toughen the testing of athletes for drugs and to tighten limits on the time college players devote to their sports. Developments at Maryland and the National Collegiate Athletic Association are described. (MLW)

Data from an ethnographic study of an urban community college are used to describe elements of faculty culture, explore the reasons for the culture's form and characteristics, discuss the ways in which the culture may be linked to institutional outcomes, and offer a framework for viewing faculty-student conflict. (MSE)

Following both a period of rapid growth and desegregation of formerly White schools, traditionally Black colleges must compete for enrollments with better financed institutions. Expertise in teaching poorly prepared students uniquely equips Black colleges to help overcome low achievement and high attrition rates among disadvantaged, minority…

Institutions prarticipating in the Higher Education for Adult Mental Health Project created model programs to enhance the quality of their responses to growing numbers of adult students. This article describes the project and summarizes the efforts of 18 participating institutions located in the southern United States. (PGD)

The outstanding basic research conducted by leading U.S. universities contrasts with the institutional paralysis that limits their responses to the changing social environment. A matrix model of university organization and mission is presented and a starting point for organizational learning and change is offered. (Author/MLW)