A survey of chief executive officers of state advisory councils on vocational education revealed that the advisory councils are not having the legally intended impact upon state boards or upon 1202 commissions. (JG)

The committee process is notoriously susceptible to manipulation. A real pro develops ploys to insure that meetings run exactly as he or she intends. The author here presents tips on how the social worker can guard against such strategies. (Author)

Offers practical advice to new library committee chairs on when to call meetings and how to prepare for, conduct, and evaluate them. Discusses the quality of committee leadership in terms of coaching, communicating, and troubleshooting skills. (Author/AEF)

Presents three case studies illustrating how many applicants for positions in academic libraries fail to meet the advertised minimum requirements. Recommends applying for positions listing minimum requirements matching one's qualifications and seeking advice from librarians who serve on search committees or faculty members in ALA-accredited MLS…

Analysis of 21 commission reports advocating gender equity in higher education 1971-1996 shows how dominant discourses of femininity, access, and professionalism position women as victims, outsiders to the structure and culture of the institution, and in need of professional development, with the unintended consequence of undermining gender…

Public residential facilities (N=218) were surveyed to determine the roles played by their Human Rights Committees in reviewing restrictive/aversive behavior modification procedures. The survey found that almost 98 percent reported having an active Human Rights Committee and 95 percent of the committees were responsible for review of…

Describes one Florida principal's pursuit of school-based management and shared decision making for the wrong reason--to escape from central office domination. Although chosen as the lesser of two evils, the new committee structure has worked well for Myrtle Grove School. Since giving up veto power to gain staff trust and commitment, teacher…

Discusses information from two surveys involving former and current curriculum commission members in the Federal Republic of Germany. Observes that, relative to task, composition, and trends, the basic pattern of curricular work has not changed in 20 years. Makes comments concerning the present state of curriculum work. (KO)

A variation of the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) for use in a needs assessment with key informants is described. The Missouri Department of Mental Health's planning staff, using the NGT, compiled key decision makers' perceptions of regional needs. The NGT helped in prioritizing the issues for each region. (TJH)

Success in curricular reform requires, at minimum, a broad-based and representative committee, unhurried fact-finding and discussion, informal and relaxed interchange with faculty, and resolution of all internal differences to allow presentation of a united front to faculty. (MSE)

The University of Louisville's successful strategic planning effort, in which presidential leadership played a central role, shows how strategic planning can be a powerful process for making key decisions about a university's future. Establishing a planning protocol, preliminary and advisory phase, and strategic planning at the unit level are…

Campus and alumni publications editors from a variety of colleges and universities offer suggestions for coping with issues of editorial control and conflict with administrators and readers, based on personal experiences. Trends in reader attitudes and administrative constraints are examined. Recommendations include editorial advisory boards,…

To be an effective school board president, certain leadership qualities and personality characteristics are useful: (1) trust, (2) effective communication, (3) responsibility versus authority, (4) control of meetings, (5) committee structure, (6) problem-solving approaches, (7) board development, (8) superintendent relations, and (9) mission. (KDP)

Describes the development and pilot program implementation of an online campus information service at the University of California at Berkeley called Infocal. Highlights include the establishment of an advisory committee; target audience; control; quality; confidentiality; legal issues; commercial information; policies; computer power; and…

A national survey examined the structure, function, agendas, and impact of curriculum committees in 66 colleges of pharmacy. Although most committees had moderate to high impact on curriculum, barriers such as faculty conservatism and departmental autonomy existed. Revising/implementing degree programs was the most successful committee function.…