The predicted faculty shortage of the late 1990s requires early institutional preparation. To identify their own potential shortages, colleges must review their own situation, linking demand projections with information on national, regional, and local supply of faculty. (MSE)

Colleges and universities can avoid student litigation if they adopt clearly defined objectives, grading procedures, classroom expectations, and appeals procedures. (Author/MSE)

A tongue-in-cheek guide for new administrators contains observations on these topics: education policy, faculty governance, the board and other constituencies, life in the bureaucratic lane, the use and abuse of resources, the administrator's worst enemy, and maintaining perspective on the job. (MSE)

Institutions that succeed at recruiting minority faculty with doctorates are more resourceful than others, using a variety of strategies to recruit, encourage, and retain a diverse faculty. Colleges and universities must become more hospitable to minorities so faculties can complement the increasingly minority student bodies. (MSE)

The American Council on Education's guidelines are summarized to help boards formulate needed, comprehensive policies on alcohol and drug abuse in all aspects of campus life. (MSE)

Despite a trend in successful endowment investment, college governing boards must carefully monitor the institution's endowment spending rate and not treat the endowment as a rainy-day fund. Shrinking endowments leave institutions financially vulnerable; administrators must be required to demonstrate how short-term excess draws on endowment will…

In responding to political, social, and ethical issues, college trustees have three essential responsibilities: (1) to examine critical trends and influences outside the institution; (2) to translate this knowledge into institutional policy; and (3) to monitor the institution's social, political, and ethical performance through recurrent…

In 1992, the University of Bridgeport (Connecticut) accepted $50.5-million from a peace academy founded by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon in exchange for control of the board of trustees, budget oversight, and the right to offer curricular advice. Top university officials are now being replaced by peace academy members and officials. (MSE)

New Jersey's decentralization of governance in public higher education is examined after one year. The discussion looks at the evolution of the change, its goals, the extent to which increased autonomy in institutional governance serves the public interest, and the ways in which the restructuring affects trustees' views and their exercise of…

The University of California's decision to end some racial preferences used in admissions and hiring is seen by some as an admission of long-term violations of federal court rulings, and as an effort to stem a voter revolt against affirmative action. The regents' vote on the policy is expected to be close. (MSE)

After 15 years as president of Miami-Dade Community College, marked by honors and accolades, Robert H. McCabe is retiring after continuing disputes with trustees. The problems' beginning coincided with appointment of three minority governing board members, who encouraged faculty critical of the president to be more vocal. McCabe also points to…

Trustees can set endowment spending policies to meet current spending needs and protect the future by understanding, forecasting, and managing potential risks and returns. Spending policy should be based on a combination of economic conditions and capital market characteristics related to the institution's investment portfolio. (Author/MSE)

The challenge for the college governing board is to use the assets of the institution's known past as a foundation for planning for the largely unknown future. They must handle the difficult tasks of replacing a president, responding to legitimate new demands, and avoiding institutional stagnation. (MSE)

A national survey of Australian universities investigated the size and composition of their governing bodies, number of meetings held annually, and any anticipated changes in their membership or structure. Membership included ex-officio members, academic staff, general staff, students, parliamentarians, state government appointments, alumni, and…

The State University of New York's chancellor and trustees devised an annual performance report to show constituents that they value accountability. The use of performance indicators would indicates how well the multicampus system meets its goals and provides data to enhance requests for more state funds and less regulation. (Author/MSE)