Based on the idea that universities are places in which argument is an essential element, the standards that should apply to such argument are examined, drawing on the literature of communication, persuasion, and educational philosophy. A variety of perspectives are examined and critiqued, and it is concluded that regulation of argument is a…

Presents guidelines for the proper care and handling of videodisc and CD-ROM hardware and software. Topics discussed include handling the equipment, moving, cleaning techniques, storage considerations, ventilation requirements, and climate control. (LRW)

College leaders can be symbols of moral unity for their institutions. The leader must have a vision of the institution's ethical life, then be able to create and sustain it in the campus community. Strategic planning can help resolve conflicts constructively, based on values expressed in the mission statement. (MSE)

Responding to diminished public esteem means intensifying efforts to create an ethical college climate. Educators face these ethical challenges: managing institutions ethically; teaching ethics to students, both in class and in dealing with student behavior in an educational setting; and serving as ethical leaders for the wider community. (MSE)

Describes an experiential exercise designed to demonstrate how a good match between environmental characteristics and organizational solutions is critical for the performance of an organization. Use of the game by students and practitioners in production and operations management is explained, and adaptation of the game to other applications is…

Discusses general issues involved in conflict management and provides more specific examples of conflict management in libraries. Causes of conflict are considered, including organizational structure, departmentalization, performance appraisal, poor communication, and technological change; and methods of dealing with conflict are described,…

Two studies found that, although the nation's wealthiest gave a smaller proportion of earnings to charity in the 1980s, the number of wealthy donors has increased. Tax law changes had less effect than predicted. Generosity appears divided between a few who give a lot and many who give little. (MSE)

It is argued that higher education institutions can play a major role in health care reform by providing campus cultures that foster healthy lifestyle choices and in turn reduce medical costs. Specific issues discussed include elimination of unnecessary tests, focus on special high-risk populations, and use of advance directives. (MSE)

Ways in which to revive and promote creativity in campus activities programming are offered. Specific steps to take, particularly in committee meetings, to energize individual thinking and group processes and to improve programming and publicity are detailed. (MSE)

A study investigated factors that college faculty perceive as barriers to their academic success within their institutions, focusing on those that distinguish between faculty who leave the institution and those who stay. Issues specific to women and to racial and ethnic minorities are considered. (MSE)

Describes the caretaking practices employed by the Peruvian Quechua mountain people, who swaddle infants in cloths and blankets (known as a manta pouch) to protect them from the harsh and frigid environment. The practices of 14 mother-infants pairs are examined in detail, and the benefits and drawbacks of the manta pouch are examined. (MDM)

Assessments of campus climates can be difficult and be accomplished by several methods, according to purpose. However, a well-designed survey can yield comprehensive and substantive data about the characteristics of people in the institution, workings of programs and policies, and interaction of these elements to inform institutional decision…

Twenty-seven key resources for understanding, researching, and managing organizational climates and cultures are cited and described. The articles, books, and monographs reflect a relatively recent wave of interest in culture as a tool for understanding organizational settings. (Author/MSE)

School systems should test the air in every school building for the presence and level of contaminants such as radon and asbestos and whether the ventilation system is circulating the proper amount of air. Periodic maintenance is required for all mechanical systems. (MLF)

When assessing a staff development program, several factors must be considered, including improvement in student outcomes, content and quality of the staff development program, and organizational climate and culture. Specific suggestions for evaluating program influences on participants, students, and the organization are offered. A multifaceted…