A study of 1,849 freshmen at York University (Ontario) found that traditional students enjoy a slight advantage over first-generation students in grade point average (GPA). While traditional students have higher levels of involvement than first-generation students, for both groups involvement in various university activities contributes to GPA.…

A new model for college fact books is proposed, to create a new generation of institutional research reports that offer more comparative and unit- or topic-specific information, with illustrations, that would be useful for current decision-making needs. (MSE)

Discussion of the agenda for research and practice in graduate and professional education identifies and discusses five arenas for assessment; demand; admission criteria; program quality; persistence; and student learning outcomes. Specific questions to be addressed and additional considerations are noted for each arena. (MSE)

A study at a research university on the relationship between faculty research productivity, specific instructional practices, and faculty-student contact found that faculty with strong research profiles did not avoid teaching low-level undergraduate courses, rely on lecture over active learning techniques, or use multiple-choice tests more often…

The public debate on the activities of college faculty is discussed, and a new, more policy-relevant approach to studying these activities is offered. The approach requires looking at faculty work activities as integrated and holistic, rather than fragmented, and describing faculty in a way that reflects the individualistic nature of faculty work.…

A set of general policies or ground rules is desirable for colleges and universities planning to participate in both basic and more complex data exchanges with other institutions. Participation in data exchange is enhanced by well-defined and comparable institutional memberships, clear organizational objectives and data, high-quality and timely…

Summarizes the University of Wisconsin System's systemwide multi-year enrollment management program authorizing enrollment targets in three phases covering the periods 1987-90, 1991-94, and 1995-2000. Reviews what other states are doing in statewide enrollment management, and outlines the demand and supply variables taken into consideration for…

A discussion of the performance indicator system used at the University of Wisconsin to provide feedback to stakeholders and encourage continuous improvement of services includes background on the system's context and development, legislative and governing board involvement, resulting recommendations, and three examples of specific accountability…

Three categories of options for colleges dealing with reduced resources are defensive reactions, constructive structuring and flexibility, and long-term new directions. Areas toward which resources need to be redirected, however, include broadening educational options for minority youth and encouraging client-centered and goal-oriented learning.…

Examines the limitations of traditional transfer rate indicators, suggesting that their use as measures of institutional effectiveness is inappropriate. Reviews methodologies of two national transfer rate models in terms of the importance of time frames for transfer, minimum credit hour thresholds, curriculum intent, and student intent. Recommends…

An annotated list cites reports, books, and other resources for institutional research into campus diversity. It includes studies undertaken by individual institutions, often including assessment instruments, organizational resources, books and articles, and electronic mail lists. (MSE)

A 1991 survey of 125 public universities, private research and doctoral universities, private comprehensive, and private liberal arts/other colleges investigated the type of institutional cost containment measures taken in fiscal 1992 and nonfaculty and faculty personnel and salary actions during that period. Results illustrate the effects of…

A 3-institution study investigated the effectiveness of transfer of 1,786 Los Rios Community College students to the University of California at Davis and California State University at Sacramento, measured by student preparation, persistence, and performance before and after transfer. Need for remediation. before transfer was also examined.…

Robert M. Diamond, Vice Chancellor for Instructional Development at Syracuse University (SU), draws on 25 years experience in the field to discuss the evolution of instructional development programs in higher education in general and the SU program in particular. Issues surrounding the definition and process of instructional development and its…

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…