Describes the activities of the Health Sciences OCLC User Group, which was organized to establish a forum for communication; provide information about National Library of Medicine cataloging rules in OCLC; maintain close relations with the National Library of Medicine and the Medical Libraries Association; and represent its constituency to OCLC.…

In this issue, which examines the use of standards in school facility planning, the introduction points out that persons involved in educational building want to know what standards are to be used for planning, designing, and utilizing educational facilities. However, there is a lack of uniformity and even the absence of standards in some cases.…

Many colleges are expanding their traditional programs to promote exchange of students and faculty members and explore new arrangements with colleges abroad. Some observers say American institutions are moving too fast to meet demands for American-style education and do not adequately oversee operations overseas. (MSE)

Describes the unique reliability problems of very large databases that necessitate specialized techniques for hardware problem management. The discussion covers the use of controlled partial redundancy to improve reliability, issues in operating systems and database management systems design, and the impact of disk technology on very large…

One college faculty member's experiences in applying Deming management theory to his business courses to improve instruction are discussed. Key issues in the Deming philosophy are outlined, course changes based on them are described, and outcomes are examined. Suggestions are offered for overcoming institutional and ideological barriers. (MSE)

Describes development of NAEYC accreditation and offers a description of the process. Highlights the effects of accreditation and discusses its future. Notes that accreditation provides opportunities and motivation for valuable professional development, and that quality control is the greatest challenge faced by accreditation efforts. Notes…

A team of administrators, faculty, and students used the Total Quality Management approach to enhance weekend student life at Winthrop University (South Carolina). The process used and resulting recommendations, some of which have been implemented, are presented. The project is seen as contributing to freshman retention. (MSE)

Accreditation fosters academic freedom as a condition of academic quality. Accreditation depends on academic freedom to secure reliable institutional self-evaluation and planning, by according faculty the freedom to present their informed judgments about professional matters without reprisal. (MSE)

A Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to enforcing an admissions rule was taken in one master's degree program in lieu of punishing students for infraction. Prevention became possible only after TQM techniques revealed the causes of rule violation. Follow-up shows no new rule infractions for several academic terms. (MSE)

Origins of Australia's university quality improvement program are outlined, and its design is examined. Issues discussed include implications of the program for individual institutions, its proposed method of redistributing research funds, and potential problems associated with performance appraisal. (MSE)

Advice for stretching the capacity of the small college public relations office includes planning well; using strategy; searching out creative ideas; choosing quality over quantity in press releases; using student and volunteer workers; developing strong media relations; accepting advice; and anticipating problems. (MSE)

Describes the use of geometry now by a U.S. Department of Defense quality assurance representative and in ancient times by the Egyptians and Babylonians. Includes reproducible student worksheets on quality assurance. (MKR)

Total Quality Management methods can build on conventional performance indicators to enhance their usefulness in monitoring and improving quality and effectiveness in higher education institutions. Experience with these methods at colleges and universities, particularly in several academic and administrative areas at Pennsylvania State University,…

Erie, Pennsylvania's Total Quality Management Institute has successfully applied total quality management concepts and techniques in businesses, a nonprofit hospital, and a school district as part of a long-term economic development plan. School district strategies have included distributing children's books to new parents, involving teachers in…

Total Quality Management for camps involves establishing ongoing assessment of campers' and parents' needs, marketing the capabilities of the organization, applying input of key staff members, and constantly making program improvements. This approach calls for discretionary decision making at all levels, and empowers staff to enter into the…