School boards should recognize that school administrators steer away from boards that (1) are consistently divided, (2) do not respect confidentiality, (3) are close-minded, and (4) do not adhere to the line between setting school policy and administering policy. (MLF)

A study of the image of the University of South Dakota among high school seniors, students, and alumni revealed a generally positive image, with some less definitive aspects of the image and with variations in image according to group surveyed. The image profile technique used was found to be reliable in assessing the perceptions of the three…

Examples of college community relations programs that have successfully bridged a sometimes widening gap between campuses and their surrounding communities include student participation in noise and party control, information campaigns, cultural and ethnic events, educational programs open to the community, economic impact surveys, and scientific…

Although numerous quality ratings exist in today's media-centric environment (Money Magazine, and U.S. News and World Report, etc.), it is quite difficult to provide any reasonably meaningful estimates of institutional quality, either qualitative or quantitative. Global ratings of university "quality" abound, despite the fact that there…

The impression prevails that there exists some authoritative classification of higher institutions, a classification which has behind it the sanction of the Government. However, there is no comprehensive classification of collegiate institutions by any national governmental agency. Various agencies in the United States maintain lists of collegiate…

The work of the Bureau of extension of the University of North Carolina is presented here as typical of what can be done in making widely serviceable, the resources of an institution of higher learning. The university of North Carolina chartered in 1789 is one of the oldest of the State universities. Its genesis and development have been along…

Implications of a gradual change in the "pecking order" within higher education in the course of the 1970s are discussed. This change cuts across the traditional university/nonuniversity distinctions, and illustrates the growing vulnerability of certain types and disciplines of university education. Focus is on graduate employability. (MSE)

A pilot study of undergraduate institutions that tests the value of the reputational rating approach, which uses subjective questionnaires, is described. It is suggested that there is no substantial evidence that quantification of subjective opinions is inferior to quantification of objective indicators when national assessments are conducted.…

A Higher Education Research Institute pilot study of the reputations of undergraduate departments is discussed. The intent of the study was to quantify the subjective judgments of undergraduate departmental quality and to investigate the association of ratings on different criteria and for different types of institutions. (MLW)

The importance of an effective, comprehensive marketing effort by higher education institutions is discussed in light of anticipated enrollment declines. A new professionalism in market research and techniques is called for and it is suggested that an effective marketing effort will provide primary and secondary benefits that can serve as guides…

The creative writing program at Syracuse University (New York) has been controversial since a 1995 incident in which a faculty member was charged with sexual harassment and drunkenness. A female faculty member has also been accused of inappropriate behavior. Faculty are divided over the issues, and some accuse the university of ignoring problems…

For the first time, the American Bar Association has published a law school guide that includes statistics on the percentage of students passing the bar examination on the first try. For schools with low passage rates, the figures are embarrassing; for those with high rates, the guide is a publicity windfall. (MSE)

The following five common myths about college education are examined: (1) that institutional reputation reflects educational quality; (2) that traditional teaching methods are proven effective; (3) that good teachers are good researchers; (4) that faculty influence students only in class; and (5) that student academic and nonacademic experiences…

The trend toward an increasing proportion of research and doctoral institutions in higher education is examined, based on an analysis of changes in Carnegie classifications since 1976. Results suggest that the graduate/research model and the prestige associated with doctorate-level education are strongly attractive, despite pressures to…

Research suggests that students make their college choice based on their perceptions of the institution's image. Smart, aggressive, well-administered institutions see their image as their most significant asset and manage it carefully by prioritizing audiences, conducting market research, establishing clear goals, planning, and implementing the…