Creating an institutional climate that positively addresses the needs of minority students depends heavily on administrators, faculty, and staff who share the responsibility of educating a diverse student body. The university president's role is that of a leader who understands the school's organizational culture and increases minority…

Difficulties in the development of adult education programs in research-oriented, elite universities are discussed, focusing on the differences in traditional values and objectives of adult and university education. Organizational conditions at the University of Louvain (Belgium) that have proven conducive to a successful adult education program…

Development and validation of the Ethical Climate Index, designed to measure perceived ethical climate of an institution's graduate and professional school programs, is described. The instrument was found to be valid and reliable, and variability was found in student perceptions of ethical climate across major academic areas. Research needs are…

This discussion of implementation of the Enterprise Awareness in Teacher Education program in Great Britain reflects on the psychodynamic processes which can surface in persons, systems, and organizations coping with change events. It looks at how introducing the values of the external world can create disturbances and distortions in the culture…

A study with 2,453 college students investigated the construct validity of the student commitment to institution as a factor in academic persistence. Results suggest factors such as institutional quality, practical educational utility, student-institution fit, and loyalty to institution were more predictive of persistence than similarity of…

Describes a study that used interviews to explore the influence of personality, subject discipline, and organizational structure on the information behavior of scientists. The use of cluster analysis to reveal groupings in the data is explained, computer use is examined, and gender differences are discussed. (60 references) (LRW)

An annual survey of higher-education leaders found most believe cuts will be smaller next year than in recent years. In some states, the largest increase requests were by community college systems. Changes in tuition-setting policy, governance, and financial aid are also common issues. (MSE)

The experience of Dartmouth College (New Hampshire) in developing a campuswide information system to enhance the computing culture is discussed, focusing on four elements: the philosophy of computing as a public utility; investment in physical network infrastructure; standardization of workstations; and development of content-neutral network…

The six articles of this special section address the organizational context that shapes utilization of mental health services, the relevance of data elements and results to decision making, and assuring the validity of evaluation results. Theoretical and practical concerns are considered. (SLD)

Describes the "social action theater" approach to diversity training in colleges and universities. The method uses one-act plays to present diversity issues in a way that creates conflict among characters and promotes audience discussion. Issues in using social-action theater are examined, including benefits, determining level of campus…

Seven women college chancellors and presidents describe their most significant leadership challenges. Topics discussed include risk-taking, communicating shared values and vision rather than individual power, double standards, women's long-range perspective, coping with large-scale change, discrepancies between the expectations of men and women…

Argues that a strong case can be made for supporting outreach as a value-added function in a university. Specific strategies for positioning outreach within the university by developing a power base are outlined. The case of the University of Michigan-Flint is offered as an example of this approach. Seven lessons learned in the process are noted.…

Discusses climate change during the Little Ice Age as experienced during several historical events, including the settlement and demise of the Norse Greenland colonies, the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and both the Battle of Trenton and Washington's encampment at Valley Forge during the American Revolution. Associated artistic and literary…

Outlines ten principles important for the successful practice of outcomes assessment, based on the experience of a variety of institutions. Notes several salient barriers to success (lack of faculty support, changes in institutional leadership and circumstances, limitations in assessment tools and methods, insufficient student involvement,…

A survey of 556 research university faculty found most felt satisfied with key aspects of their work environment, and many felt they had experienced or observed little gender discrimination. Among those experiencing discrimination, women were more likely than men to report exclusion by colleagues, inappropriate sexual attention, demeaning or…