Uses students' responses from the dialogues of a town hall meeting to examine the beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge about racial and cultural diversity at a mid-size, predominantly white university. Four major themes emerged: perceptions about race, stereotypical beliefs about cross-cultural interactions, uncomfortable campus climate, and…

Parents are demanding greater inclusion in issues relating to campus safety and security. This article examines the historical evolution of relations between parents, students, and universities, discussing two pieces of key legislation and describing strategies to optimize common interrelationships between parents and institutions. (Contains 14…

College student interpretation of the messages conveyed by the formal examination process are discussed. It is proposed that while students will most often interpret the spaces, props, equipment, and people involved in examinations as they were intended, sometimes the message is misinterpreted or challenged, making it dysfunctional. (MSE)

Four studies of leadership reach different conclusions, all apparently consistent with the experiences of practitioners. The themes of functionalism and culturalism in the study of organizations are illuminated and the usefulness of research using multiple points of view to examine a limited number of cases is suggested. (Author/MLW)

Explored relationship of students' college living environment during their first year to retention and whether or not positive correlation of residence hall living to persistence extends to Black students at predominantly White university. Results indicated that race, sex, place of residence, and aptitude were related significantly to persistence…

A study that looked at how colleges and universities encourage students to get involved in outside activities is discussed. Students who are actively involved in academic and out-of-class activities are better integrated into the institution. Student affairs officers, faculty members, and students were interviewed. (MLW)

Alcohol use and membership in the academic community traditionally have been linked to the dual notions of privilege and freedom. Four basic habits that colleges need to adopt are identified: avoid hypocrisy, resist denial, keep authority flexible, and re-think privilege. (MLW)

Analysis of documents from the McCarthy Era reveals a mixed pattern of AAUP response to the threats the movement posed to the principles of academic freedom. A secure policy stance in this area was achieved as a result of actions initiated when Ralph Fuchs became general secretary. (Author/MLW)

A president must seek to influence the ethics of higher education by pursuing the roles left open to them. These roles are identified: set an example, serve as a true marketer--conveying guidance from "outside" to inside" and vice versa, and demonstrate a concern for the feeling of students. (MLW)

Sexual harassment continues to be a problem on college campuses, and no institution is immune. The best defense is to develop a good policy and educate the community. (Author/MSE)

As the proportion of older students grows, it will become crucial to develop methods of instruction acknowledging and creatively unifying the varieties of experience to be found in such diverse groups. (JOW)

Discusses the processes shaping the professionalization of college and research librarianship within the framework of four sociological theories. It is suggested that structural changes within higher education and the information industry affect the legitimacy, status, and territory of librarians' work, and that professional growth cannot be…

In two decades and despite some resistance, multicultural education has progressed from an idea to a concept that has achieved some institutionalization in higher education. Demographic and global economic change reinforce this trend. Institutions of higher education should have as a primary objective the graduating of students who have not only…

Advice is offered for making college alumni reunions fun and memorable, illustrated with anecdotes from various institutions. Suggestions include exciting opening activities, focusing on the particular habits or characteristics of a class, appealing to a variety of tastes, emphasizing class identity, savoring favorite campus traditions, and…

American college students are often viewed in terms of inputs and outcomes, due in part to the assessment movement and interest in college impact. A more complete view sees the relationship between student and college as reciprocal and dynamic. The ecological perspective views students as actively shaping their educational environments, with the…