A long-time observer of the college presidency finds that the power of the presidency is often overestimated. The faculty see the president as having authority when they want favors, students see the president as an absent figure to be blamed for problems, and journalists see the president as having enough authority to justify lavish attention.…

College presidential search committees often measure candidates by two yardsticks: how close in complexity the candidate's current budget, personnel, and program responsibilities resemble those of the position under consideration, and the academic stature brought to the institution. Interest in nontraditional candidates is growing. Searches have…

While some suggest that tensions between college presidents and their boards are high, it is proposed that most are coping successfully with difficult issues, and that their relationships are fundamentally very sound. Sources of new tension are examined, particularly the affirmative action debate and "activism" among trustees. Trustee selection…

A study of interim presidencies at public research universities draws on interviews with 20 former interim presidents concerning their selection, expectations, accommodations, roles, and relationships, and the institutional and personal effects of the interim presidency. Ten suggestions for supporting an interim administrator and facilitating the…

Five college and university board chairs discuss briefly the two most important strategic goals they have set for their institutions, and how they ensure that the board addresses issues and priorities in the context of those goals. Institutions represented include Alma College (Michigan), the Montana University system, Maricopa Community College…

A study of 17 European and American business school deans found morale higher than anticipated. Deans reported an excessive workload, spending 45% of time with external constituents. They saw themselves as less powerful than business leaders, but equally accountable financially, and perceived themselves as facilitators for colleagues. High…

Reports on the 1998 Survey of Graduate Aid Policies, Practices, and Procedures (SOGAPPP) of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). Finds that professional programs at private institutions have highest tuitions; most students in professional programs receive financial aid; loans are the overwhelming type of aid…

Describes the retrospective conversion of audiovisual materials at Penn State University's Education Library when it merged with the main collection. Topics include improved access; administrative support; support from the media center staff; collection organization; collection content; bibliographic access; goals; and staffing and communication…

Stresses the need for faculty and administrators to cooperate in assessing student learning. Addresses barriers to teacher involvement and presents models that nurture faculty in the assessment process. Recommends that administrators create a culture that is conducive to assessment and adopt a variety of leadership characteristics using the…

Discusses ways in which a global perspective can influence the college mission and curriculum. Asks what the institution, acting in a global capacity, can do for its students, rather than what the global economy can do for the institution. Warns that in the rush to globalize, college leaders must be clear about their purpose and focus on the…

This article presents findings from an exploratory study that compared and contrasted leadership succession planning in two large Ontario school districts with focus on three themes: (a) leadership succession planning, (b) recruitment and selection, and (c) professional and organizational socialization of school administrators. Among the findings…

Alvermann urges teachers to "listen to their own students for guidance in adapting their instruction," calling it both "feasible and worthwhile." She says, "But having personal access to good directional ideas is not enough. Finding ways to turn those ideas into sound instructional practices (based on principles derived from equally sound…

A substantial number of individuals serve as interim chairs each academic year. This chapter addresses their unique needs and provides suggestions on serving in this difficult role.

The key challenge to academic leadership is to restructure the allocation of academic assets, particularly the organization of the faculty, in ways that better serve emerging societal and scholarly needs.

Political pressure on colleges and universities has been a matter of common debate and concern since 1934. That was the year the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the Association of American Colleges (the precursor of AAC&U) established a series of conferences in order to reaffirm and develop the 1925 Conference Statement on…