This overview of peer counseling and self-help groups in contemporary higher education examines current practices and offers recommendations for program development. Section I looks at the historical background and current context of campus peer counseling and social support programs; types and functions of self-help groups; student…

This report of a conference on developmental advising contains the following 18 papers: "An Introduction to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)" (Roberta Corder); "Computer-Assisted Advising: The Personal Touch" (Susan Aldrich, Mark Peterson, Bruce Sands); "The Freshman Survey: Phase I" (Laura Lemonine);…

The use and effectiveness of study centers and study center networks as a support system in distance education were investigated, based on interviews with students, tutors, and coordinators of four Australian distance education systems. The investigation of study centers at the University of Queensland, the Riverina College of Advanced Education,…

A follow-up study of doctoral graduates from the College of Education at Ohio State University covered all graduates from Autumn, l978 through Autumn, l982 (N=636). A questionnaire obtained information on: (l) general educational background courses taken; (2) instructors; (3) advisor and advisory committee; (4) general examinations; (5)…

The basis for mid-career changes is investigated and ways in which academic counselors can help adults make the transition to a postsecondary educational institution are examined. Two general areas for initiating midcareer changes can be identified: personal motivations and environmental pressures. Nancy Schlossberg (1984) has developed a…

Through interview and questionnaire, this study examined the success of Brigham Young University's Indian education program by comparing it with Rouche's 11 elements of successful programs for low-achieving students. About 40% of Brigham Young's Indian students achieved bachelor's degrees, compared to 10% in comparable programs. The 19 faculty…

The state of academic advisement in postsecondary education was studied through a survey of representatives of 58 colleges and universities and students who were pursuing undergraduate degrees in four-year institutions during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. About 59 percent of the institutions were public, 41 percent were private, and 22 percent had…

The components of academic advising and the educational benefits to students are outlined and ways in which the American College Testing (ACT) Assessment Program can help are examined. The ACT Assessment Program is designed for use by students planning to enter postsecondary education and provides a base of information about freshman advisees. The…

Perceptions and expectations concerning the advising function held by faculty and students in arts and sciences colleges of four midwestern universities were surveyed. Usable responses were obtained from 541 (40 percent) of faculty members from the University of Wyoming, Mankato State University, Kansas State University, and the University of…

Describes a study of 38 students at Eastern Oregon State College which identified mathematics proficiency as the key student characteristic leading to successful completion of computer science courses, and developed a model that accounts for 82 percent of the variation in students' final grades in computer courses for use by advisers. (LRW)

This publication is designed to broaden exposure to the ideas presented at the 2001 International Career Development Conference. It provides authors with an international forum for communicating their current research, proposals, and projects to the international career development community. The articles in this symposium include: (1) "Chaos,…

This document explores problems described by learners of second languages at the university level. It reports on three case studies drawn from a language advisory service at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. An understanding of the range of experiences learners report in a given learning context is likely to shed light on ways in…

Faculty and students in colleges of arts and sciences in four universities were surveyed for their perceptions of student and adviser responsibility in the advising process, including counseling about personal problems, providing information on extracurricular activities, realizing student potential, monitoring academic progress, and the mechanics…

Argues against the idea of an early commitment to a college major and provides statistical support for this premise. Various sources of pressure to choose a college major are listed. Suggests necessary changes for counselors, including a positive attitude toward indecision. (RC)

A study found that using consumer behavior and decision models to guide students to a major can be useful and enjoyable for students. Students consider many of the basic parameters through multi-attribute and decision-analysis models, so time with professors, who were found to be the most influential group, can be used for more individual and…