Focus groups and interviews were conducted with 15 clinical faculty, 4 nursing education administrators, 22 nurses, and 4 hospital administrators involved in clinical placements. When nurses worked with practicing faculty, they experienced less role overload, conflict, and ambiguity. Lack of communication of expectations among administrators,…

Interviews with 36 hospital employees evaluated the impact of level 3 National Vocational Qualifications in operating room practice. Most said they had a positive effect on working relationships; implementation had overcome barriers between nurses and operating department assistants/practitioners. Those who trained under earlier systems were…

Describes a collaborative, or peer-group, faculty mentoring program at East Carolina University's medical school which incorporated development of skills in key areas for career development, a structured values-based approach to career planning, and instruction in scholarly writing. (EV)

Using nationwide sampling, examined the effects of faculty development programs (FDPs) on the formation and benefits of enrollees' academic colleague relationships. Found that FDPs help enrollees build career-important relationships with peers, mentors, and academic consultants who enhance socialization skills and contribute to academic…

A study of the cultures of academic disciplines within the university suggests that each discipline is not a homogeneous entity but a constantly changing grouping of smaller components, all related to the process of specialization. The commonalities in these subdisciplines could contribute to greater interdisciplinary understanding, and they…

Describes the transformation of the Colgate Interdisciplinary Writing Program into a department. Notes that, as the members of the program strove to lose their subordinate status, they worked against the temptation to do so in a militaristic spirit of antagonism, for that would undermine the collectivism that characterizes the program's…

Most school boards want those initial months of warm regard between the board and a new superintendent to continue indefinitely. However, trust can break down for a number of reasons. Offers eight suggestions for superintendents to prolong the honeymoon. (MLF)

The board and superintendent can reduce the friction and strengthen their relationship if they can understand one another's role in the school system. Cites some examples of inappropriate board behavior. Offers eight suggestions to board members to prolong the honeymoon. (MLF)

Identifies a program design sequence for establishing a faculty mentoring program. Outlines Western Carolina University's New Faculty Mentoring Program: goals, eligibility, key features, benefits, mentor's roles, participant's responsibilities, what has been learned, and on-going issues. (SR)

Planning for a successful transition to a new college administration is divided into four phases: (1) preparing for the announcement of a new leader; (2) making the formal presentation; (3) getting acquainted and introducing the president to others; and (4) creating regular opportunities for ongoing communication with all constituencies. (MSE)

Variationist linguistics, also called sociolinguistics, has been misunderstood and misrepresented in second-language acquisition (SLA) research. Four impediments to the development of a profitable interaction between sociolinguists and the SLA community are discussed. (36 references) (Author/LB)

Once a college or university has chosen a consultant, details of the relationship may need negotiation, and a contract protecting both parties must be drawn up and signed. A range of contract options is available, depending on the nature, cost, and sensitivity of the work to be done. (Author/MSE)

Surveys technical writing professors concerning the definition and location of technical writing programs. Finds that programs located in English departments do not receive the respect and support they need; and that faculty in programs located in other departments are significantly more satisfied. Suggests some strategies for improving the…

Describes the process by which the higher education community, working through national higher education association presidents, regional accreditation commission directors, and college/university presidents, created the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a new national organization on accrediting. The process illustrates the…

Suggests a popular model of service delivery for students with disabilities is full inclusion. Suggests regular classroom teachers should identify and focus on included students' strengths and carefully examine students' academic and social gains. Argues that school personnel should work in collaborative teams in which skills, experience, talents,…