A theory of change is applied to change in universities, which may be peculiarly resistant because of their structure of single-discipline departments and economic pressures. It is proposed that forms of faculty development are significant in bringing about positive change. (MSE)

The effects of organizational change on teaching are examined using the experience of the University of Massachusetts. The introduction of new programs, contexts, and challenges encourage teachers to reexamine their assumptions, ideas, values, commitments and, therefore, their teaching. (JMF)

Investigates the costs and benefits of introducing participatory management into a community college by studying John Tyler Community College (Virginia). Concludes that faculty and administrators must be brought to greater participation in goal setting and decision making gradually if this form of management is to be fruitful. (DD)

Five years ago, the Huth Upper Grades Center in Matteson, Illinois, the only junior high school in the district, began incorporating significant elements of a child-oriented middle school. Among these was the assignment of students to one of five multidisciplinary teaching teams, called clusters. Available from NMSA, P.O. Box 968, Fairborn, OH…

Presents an exercise to facilitate employee understanding and implementation of planned organizational change, along with techniques to introduce the concept of change into organization development workshops or supervisory training efforts. Describes barriers that stimulate resistance to change and ways to promote acceptance of organizational…

As the result of a survey of institutions of higher education offering courses in leisure and recreation services, it is recommended that more and broader continuing education programs be instituted. (JD)

Flexible work hours scheduling has been well received in this country as well as in Europe, where it was introduced in 1967. Some problems and their solutions attempted by various employers, unions, and government bodies are described. (MF)

Applies critical theory to the workforce's culture, language, and symbols, providing insight into a pattern of power agendas in the deep structural meaning that determines which issues will be open for debate and which are not. Argues that students must be taught to understand the distortion of communication to impose power and to respond to its…

Based on a review of developments in vocational education and training (VET) in Europe and the changing roles of VET professionals, the EUROPROF project developed a framework for VET professional education. Highlights include university-level education; emphasis on work-process knowledge; interdisciplinary skills and knowledge; and collaboration…

Colleges and universities should approach strategic change by establishing three kinds of key performance indicators (KPIs): mandated (state-mandates or other imposed objectives); management (determined by the administration); and derived (from the special intentions of institutional units). By assembling the three kinds of KPIs, the strategic…

A study by the National Association of College and University Business Officers surveyed member institutions (n=235) about the use and effectiveness of responsibility center management (RCM) on campus. Results indicate private colleges are more likely to use RCM. Major areas of concern include organizational structure, financial information for…

Discusses three important functions of the university (the creation, preservation, and transmission of knowledge) and how those functions are being usurped by new telecommunications and network technologies. Argues that universities must meet the technological challenge by reinventing themselves and offering vocational education, moral guidance,…

Examines the history of the North Central Association's Commission on Schools, highlighting seven common misconceptions and citing the historical record to correct them. Discusses the commission's origins, accreditation achievements, accreditation methodologies, relationship to government agencies, dues, and staff size. (MAB)

Strategic planning models seek order in a disorderly world. However, chaos science offers a language of concepts to discern deeper patterns in organizational life that appears out of control. Many of these concepts apply to higher education institutions. Interpretation of chaos theory principles suggests five tools for making high-leverage change…

Minnesota's large-scale restructuring of public higher education in July 1995 created a 45-institution system that has recently experienced further consolidation of 18 community and technical colleges into ten. Other changes include decentralization, downsizing, and changes in support services. Proposal of another merger has created concern that…