In a period of consumer orientation, it is perceived that higher education must respond to calls for accountability and questions about academic ethics and fair practice. Discussions include the student as consumer activist, the government as protector, public confidence in education, and possible college reactions. (Author/MLW)

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)

The University of Missouri's alumni association is using technology to recruit new members, increase retention, and provide benefits and services. Examples include the use of members' electronic mail for communication, use of personal barcodes on membership renewal notices, and automatic membership renewal using credit and debit accounts. (MSE)

Examines reasons why schools and businesses form partnerships, whether these partnerships actually improve education, and financial and ethical implications of such partnerships. Suggests that long-term educational partnerships implemented for the mutual benefit of both parties and for the educational improvement of a school or district can be…

Describes why the Oakland School Board proposed to apply African Language Systems principles to move students closer to English proficiencies. The board's objective--to raise the language skills of African-American students--was interpreted as a proposal to teach substandard English and was used to validate racist dialog. The public furor ignored…

Provides an overview of situations relating to censorship in school libraries and offers advice to teacher librarians seeking to broaden their base of support. Strategies discussed include a written, board approved collection policy and ongoing public relations programs. Resources to aid in collection policy formation are described. (13…

Guidelines are offered and suggestions made for creating a student recruitment video that captures and keeps prospective students' attention. Illustrations are provided from the experiences of colleges, universities, and private schools. Topics, techniques, style, and cost control are discussed. (MSE)

College and university development officers are encouraged to adjust their expectations of volunteers to the current reality of graduates' schedules and commitments. Five barriers to volunteering (economic, time and distance, language and cultural, environmental, and competitive) are identified, and techniques for overcoming them are offered. (MSE)

Describes the Rochester (New York) Public Library's expansion and renovation. Highlights include funding; public relations and marketing plans; access to state-of-the-art technology, including dial-in access; marketing surveys; connecting with local media; involvement of the private sector; and meeting users' heightened expectations for library…

Presents work accomplished at the 1998 National Communication Association Summer Conference. Outlines reasons for theory-based education in public relations. Presents an integrated model of student outcomes, curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment for theory-based master's and doctoral programs, including assumptions made and rationale for such…

Explains how media specialists can use departmental meetings to develop and promote better public relations within the school community. Topics include changes in the media center; new programs or services being offered, including new software and Internet resources; teacher requests for materials to support their curriculum; and interlibrary-loan…

Universitas 21, an international network of research universities in seven countries, has filed an application in Britain to become an incorporated business. It aims to attract corporate clients interested in exploiting the combined academic assets and intellectual property of its member institutions, particularly in the areas of technology…

It is argued that research testing the reliability and validity of college and university reputational studies should be conducted, a concern not raised by consumers and publishers. Two studies of "America's Best Colleges," published by "U.S. News and World Report," raise questions about the guide's validity and suggest that…

Concerns about published comparisons of colleges and universities are organized into a framework to guide further research. A systematic method for addressing specific issues about the guides is presented, and the environment in which the guides are used is examined. Research needed to assure that the guides make a valued contribution and are fair…

Public education is not highly supported by the American public, who put economics first. The GI Bill and Cold War era prove that point. Schools have suffered from bad press, ultraconservatism, provincialism, teacher nonprofessionalism, commercialism, gambling, student fundraising, misplaced government/parental priorities, an uninviting work…