The quest for diversity must overcome the resistance of traditional White, male faculty to redefining the mission and curriculum of the liberal arts college. Change will be difficult, but it must occur if liberal arts colleges are to survive and maintain a central and relevant place in multicultural America. (MSE)

Describes the creation of a glacial park on a university campus. Suggests that the park is a useful instructional resource that helps students relate classroom material to outdoor phenomena by visualizing and identifying glacial landforms, recognizing their spatial relationships, and understanding how glacial features originated. Offers advice for…

A review of research suggests that major factors in job satisfaction among women in higher education administration are (1) perceptions of the communication climate; (2) elements contributing to chronic job stress; and (3) facets of work support. Within each category, a variety of elements are important. (MSE)

Syracuse University (New York) has found that the focused, collaborative approach to institutional administration embodied in Total Quality Management is beneficial. It requires allocation of adequate time and resources, observation of others, communication, addressing high-need areas first, and willingness to adapt, but it may bring resistance…

A model of institutional adaptation to diversity emerged from case studies of 10 public universities. The model depicts state policy influencing the priorities and practices of work groups within a university. The resulting adaptation of organizational culture leads to improvements in participation and graduation for minorities. (Author/MSE)

A discussion of college student leadership retreats looks at the factors that should be considered in planning a retreat. These include the physical environment of the site, establishment of norms and expectations for the group, and demographic and personal characteristics of the participants that are likely to affect group interaction. (MSE)

A case study of a large research university illustrates the increasing use of nontenured faculty. Origins of the expansion are examined, arrangements used to resolve staffing problems are described, and their effectiveness and general consequences for departments are assessed. It is concluded that while short-term negative outcomes can be…

The National Association of Graduate-Professional Students has passed resolutions calling for reforms intended to improve the lives of graduate students, including increasing health care and making faculty and institutions accountable for better advising. Although the association is not dominated by union activists, the issue of collective…

Explores the appropriateness of team models and concepts to the academic side of higher education through a case study investigation of the collective functions and processes of a department of business administration in a large public university. Findings are compared to two conceptual models of teams: self-managing teams from industry and…

The University of Texas at El Paso instituted a strategic planning framework with the intent of expanding and maintaining long-term participation by faculty, staff, and other constituents. The four-phase process included generating more open dialog about the future; responding to a powerful external incentive for self-assessment; preparing for…

Summarizes research findings on campus racial climate according to a four-dimensional model: (1) an institutions' historical legacy of inclusion/exclusion of various racial/ethnic groups; (2) structural diversity, or numerical representations of various racial/ethnic groups; (3) psychological climate (perceptions, attitudes among groups); and (4)…

A study of 334 colleges and universities found institutions with declining resources are as effective as institutions with abundant resources. However, institutions that develop certain attributes (centralization, crisis mentality, lowered innovation, resistance to change, decreasing morale, politicized interest groups, non-prioritized cutbacks,…

Little is known about the Asian Pacific American (APA) college student, but three problems may have important implications for teaching and learning: communication with and within the population; refugee waves; and generational identity. Educators should consider alternative and more appropriate strategies to avoid neglecting segments of this…

Evidence from the literature of college administration in a changing environment points to the critical role of academic leadership in maintaining morale, enhancing productivity, and helping staff welcome momentous change. Tomorrow's effective universities will require academic managers whose leadership qualities resemble those of good teachers in…

A study explored the impact of academically underprepared students on 14 liberal arts and sciences faculty at two open-admissions universities. Interviews revealed faculty faced widespread, acute problems teaching underprepared students, and they feel isolated, with little colleague or administrator support. Many underwent a confusing, emotionally…