The relative power of college culture, school functioning, and mission in explaining student performance outcomes was examined. The relationship between institutional attributes/cultures and undergraduate instructional effectiveness as perceived by faculty and administrators was studied with 320 four-year colleges. Respondents completed the…

The nature of changes in students and institutions since the 1950s and ecological responses to keep the student governance system current with institutional and student needs are discussed. Brigham Young University's approach is used as an example. Ecological models suggest that, even in systems where there are relative differences in power…

The American college presidency is examined, with attention to characteristics of those who become college presidents, how long they serve and where they go after leaving the presidency, and internal/external factors affecting their performance. The analysis is based in part on 800 interviews with presidents, their spouses, and other close…

A student engagement model is proposed to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the bond between student and college. The model focuses on a student's motivation for attending college, the tension that derives from conflicting motivations, and the social context of the student-college bond. The validity of the model was examined in a…

A theoretical analysis of embedded organizations (parts of a larger organization) is developed and eight propositions relative to the use of modifying responses by such organizational units are offered. Research was conducted on the responses of two colleges within a university to their respective growing/declining resource environments over an…

Sexual harassment is one concern of women graduate students in community psychology programs. When a sexual relationship exists between male faculty and female students, the distribution of power reflects the subordinate status of women and the dominant position of men. Many studies have documented the negative consequences of sexual contact…

This paper presents a counseling model for managers in education who must deal with staff, their problems, and their perceptions. The basic principle underlying the model is given: the helper is not expected to have ready-made solutions to others' problems, but to offer motivation, time, and skills to help others solve their own problems. The…

Senior administrators at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) guided the investigation of the college's safety and security. Through interviews, it was found that key concerns were protection of facilities (property), safety/security of university personnel, and the institution's public. An environmental approach to safety and security…

Research approaches to the complex issues related to college teaching and learning are discussed. Topics covered include: research itself (why improvement is needed, potential targets for improvement, types of research, and an integrated strategy for productive research); the learning activity; the teaching activity; learners; teachers;…

Male and female mid-level administrators at a large research university were compared on personal and demographic variables; perceptions of opportunities and job/organizational characteristics; job satisfaction; and degree of commitment to job, institution, and career. A total of 192 male and 38 female administrators participated. While males and…

A questionnaire seeking information on the relative influence of patronage factors (characteristics of an institution), sources of influence (family, friends), and influential practices and media (recruitment tactics) was administered to 100 freshmen, to determine if reasons for attending Piedmont Technical Institute differed by age, sex, or race.…

Data from the Cooperative Institutional Research Programs at ACE/UCLA on a national sample of students who first matriculated as college freshmen in 1966 were merged with followup data collected in 1967, 1970, and 1971. Cross-tabulations specify the level of career aspirations for women and men across the college years and across cohorts of…

The residence hall environment at Indiana University is evaluated annually by an ecosystems method of evaluation which permits students to identify problems and provide recommendations for change. In the Fall of 1980 a sample of undergraduates (N=732) living in residence halls responded to a series of statements about life in the residence halls.…

A theory of organizational development is developed from turn-of-the-century geopolitical studies by combining the following: Smithian and Darwinian perspectives; the firmer concepts of management; and strategic planning views. An attempt is made to explore natural organizational processes by considering geopolitical, economic, biological, and…

Recent data show that while attrition is a problem for the college population as a whole, it is particularly so for minority students attending predominantly white colleges and universities. In addition to financial and academic difficulties, minority students are faced with such concerns as the low number of minority faculty and student support…