American Indian Studies programs at over 100 institutions perform the traditional teaching, research, and service functions expected of all departments but also assume atypical roles, such as multicultural education for the whole institution, recruitment and retention of Indian students, linking academic and Indian communities, and advancement of…

Examined 600 student and 300 faculty perceptions of the environment at the University of Wyoming as it relates to student retention and attrition. Results suggest that perceptions of persistors and subsequent dropouts differ less than expected. (TE)

Through a strategic plan the University of Southern California School of Dentistry will achieve a new balance between research, postdoctoral education, predoctoral education, and patient care. In achieving this balance, the school will become an integral part of the USC communities. (MLW)

The goal of institutional history should be to "place the institution in the context of American collegiate and cultural history." Two types of institutional histories exist: scholarly ones and public relations accounts. Guidelines for writing a history include begin at the beginning, decide on institutional image, etc. (MLW)

A discussion of trends relating to crime on college campuses and state legislation on the mandatory reporting of crime rates looks at the arguments for and against forced disclosure and suggests that institutions examine the issues closely before crime becomes a major policy issue. (MSE)

Looks at the institutional factors that may be related to the relatively high rate of turnover among college level music administrators. Reveals significant results in three instances: administrator turnover and reorganization within the unit, administrator length of service and reorganization, and length of service and reduction of nonacademic…

The increasing number of minority group students in colleges and universities mandates that student activities be designed to promote cultural pluralism and interaction among all students. (MSE)

Describes the growth of academic computing and the resulting need to redefine curriculum, university structures, and the relationship of the university to other institutions and society at large. Topics covered include courseware; the role of academic libraries; the incorporation of online catalogs into national academic networks; and university…

This article analyzes an attempt to put into practice a critically reflective, ideologically sensitive program for teacher preparation. The institutional and ideological forces which led to the eventual failure of these restructuring efforts are described, with emphasis given to ways in which a college culture can affect curricular reforms. (IAH)

Surveyed 197 freshman residents from eight university residential programs. Respondents lived in either living-learning halls or conventional residential facilities. Results suggest that designing the environment of residence halls to promote academic integration supports other purposes as well. Living-learning programs appeared to have greater…

In many institutions, increasing numbers of offices are becoming involved in institutional research activity. A theoretical perspective, derived from theories of power, information, and change in organizations, is proposed for better understanding this phenomenon. (Author/MLW)

An academic hierarchy, consisting of schools with various levels of ranking and prestige, represents a complex mechanism influencing the type of higher education available to various groups in American Society. As such, the academic hierarchy maintains long-standing manifestations of educational inequality. (MLW)

Data on 1993 campus crime from 796 higher education institutions with enrollments over 5,000, required by federal law, reflects a rise in robberies, aggravated assaults, arrests for drug and weapons violations though property crimes and murders decreased. Interpretation of data, seen as providing an incomplete picture, is debated. (MSE)

The debate over whether patents should be granted to the first applicant to file, advocated by some industrialists, or to the applicant who first invented is examined. Relevant patent priority laws are outlined, arguments on both sides are presented, the arguments are related to universities, and ways in which university concerns can be met and…

In a study with 167 college students of the effect of adverse learning conditions on achievement, action-oriented college students performed better than state-oriented students on a lecture-based achievement test despite low-expressive instruction and prior perceived academic failure. State-oriented students also experienced more negative…