This paper discusses the use of focus groups to investigate criteria used by college students to determine their satisfaction with higher education, and presents the results of a pilot study. It reviews research on the use of focus groups, discusses the development of a focus group guide for the current study, and examines problems associated with…

In each Canadian province, governments appear to be more and more intrusive into the day-to-day operations of their universities. Governments in such provinces as Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Alberta are concerned with making the universities more cost-effective and more "accountable" to the government and to the public at…

This report addresses the underrepresentation of Mexican-Americans in the faculties of U.S. universities. During the 11-year period from 1980 to 1990, a total of 91,837 women received doctorates from U.S. universities, and of these, 751 (0.7 percent) were Mexican-Americans. Of the 148,352 men who received doctorates during this period, 1,189 (also…

Seven papers are presented from the 1994 CAUSE conference track on partnering within and among higher education institutions in regard to information resources and technology. The papers include: (1) "Having Your Cake and Eating It Too: A Recipe for a Collaborative CWIS in a Decentralized Environment," which discusses the development of…

In fall 1995, a study was conducted of students who transferred from California community colleges to the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) to determine their academic performance and to explore the nature of their adjustment. Two transfer populations were examined: students enrolled in the Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), a program…

Strategic planning in higher education is seen in this book as an essential element in the life of a successful college or university. This book begins by defining strategic planning and explains how to identify the core problems a college or university wants to address and solve through the planning process. It continues with advice on how to…

This report presents the results of a review of the costs and benefits of specialized accreditation of higher education institutions and programs. The review surveyed 110 programs in 6 disciplines (business, engineering, interior design, nursing, physical therapy, and teacher education) at public and private community colleges, colleges, and…

This report provides recommendations for a comprehensive telecommunications policy for Florida that focuses the state's technological resources on the accomplishment of specific educational goals. The recommendations are based on a review of the relevant literature, a survey of approximately 950 community college and university faculty, and a…

This booklet summarizes major conclusions and the statistical evidence supporting them concerning how changes in higher education revenue and expenditure are related to institutional enrollments, tuition and fee charges, and student financial aid, as well as the overall value of a higher education degree. Findings are organized into the categories…

This report is the fifth in a series issued reviewing policies and compensation levels for public higher education and community college executives. The report presents summary information about community colleges for: chancellors and presidents of multi-college districts and superintendent/presidents of single-college districts. In its comments,…

This study examined the sustaining traits of black female doctoral candidates within predominantly white research universities. Four students attending major research universities in the southwestern United States participated in the study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, participant observations, and document analysis. The…

Institutional research has long relied on surveys to learn about student experiences. This study describes and evaluates two methods of using electronic mail to gather information from students about their experiences. Data were based on two case studies conducted during spring 1996 and fall 1997 at a 5,000-student state university. The report…

In spring 1991, a teacher exchange/mentor program was developed between Kansas' Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and the University of Kansas to attract young educators to community college teaching careers, give educators firsthand experience teaching at a community college while being mentored by a seasoned JCCC faculty member, and…

The challenge of "ruralizing" teacher preparation programs is to teach teachers to think with sufficient critical intent to violate professional norms that have been unhealthy for rural schools and communities. Universities are institutions with cosmopolitan rather than local purposes. Over the centuries, the mission of higher education…

This staff report details fiscal year 1998 capital improvement budget recommendations of the Illinois State Board of Higher Education. The report recommends funding for 39 higher education capital facility projects at a total cost of $284.5 million, including $40 million for capital renewal projects; $25 million for technology infrastructure in…