A survey indicates that declining resources, merging of programs, and loss of faculty positions characterize the changes in programs in higher education as a field of study and suggest an uncertain future. However, most programs see themselves as strong and programs that were prominent in the last decade remain so. (Author/MSE)

Higher education and public policy leaders need to reconsider how and whether the multicampus form of organization can continue to be useful. Issues include whether multicampus systems respond effectively to social, economic, demographic, and technological change; real costs; vulnerability to political influence; how leadership functions; and the…

It is not enough for university governing boards and chief executives to decide the system must change; leadership must convince constituents that everyone has something to gain. When the University of Maryland's campuses could not reach consensus in paring programs, the system board stepped in to foster collaboration and cooperation. (Author/MSE)

In answer to sweeping reform of public schools in Oregon, the state's colleges and universities are adopting proficiency-based admissions, designed to measure how much applicants know instead of how many courses they took in high school. Observers praise the higher education community's cooperative response to school reform efforts. (MSE)

It is argued that the growing population of non-tenure-track and part-time faculty should be better represented in college governance. Recommendations include establishing a formal organization for part timers; appointing a part-time member to the central administrative team; and providing awards, leaves, and regular professional development…

Describes the interorganizational collaboration that contributed to the development and satellite-mediated delivery of university courses to a highly dispersed, rural population. The project confirms that collaboration, within the context of adopting innovative procedures, is fraught with potential pitfalls. There are practical strategies that can…

Focuses on the different institutions that provide postcompulsory education and training around the world. Summarizes international patterns of governance and organization, enrollment trends, financing methods, faculty characteristics, and curricula for short cycle education. (MAB)

College and university development officers are encouraged to adjust their expectations of volunteers to the current reality of graduates' schedules and commitments. Five barriers to volunteering (economic, time and distance, language and cultural, environmental, and competitive) are identified, and techniques for overcoming them are offered. (MSE)

From the mid-1970s to 1982, Washburn University of Topeka (Kansas) offered training programs for jail employees and other interested public officials, beginning with topical seminars and later, extending to courses for academic credit at a number of sites. In 1992, the university will begin offering courses again. (MSE)

A study analyzed the performance of undergraduate students overall and by discipline in all Victorian (Australia) universities and identified key determinants of student progress in undergraduate courses. Data were drawn from 1990 student files. Findings and their implications for college admission policies and future research are examined.…

Trends in higher education that are pushing it from a principally public enterprise to a largely private one are examined, including the shift away from public financial support and greater internal management problems. An increasing market orientation is predicted, bringing price and demand into equilibrium, fostering privatization, and infusing…

Presents abstracts of 34 special interest group (SIG) sessions. Highlights include humanities scholars and electronic texts; information retrieval and indexing systems design; automated indexing; domain analysis; query expansion in document retrieval systems; thesauri; business intelligence; Americans with Disabilities Act; management;…

Analysis of federal statutes and case law concerning disabilities suggests that medical educators may be expected to refine policies to identify when physicians with disabilities are otherwise qualified; the essential tasks performed by physicians; reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities; and how communication about disabilities…

Australia's Cooperative Research Centres Program, a system of 52 research and development (R&D) units, links researchers from public and private sectors, helping industry and scientific community coordinate research efforts. The program represents 6% of the national R&D effort and spans six major R&D and industry sectors. (MSE)

Discusses the use of Total Quality Management (TQM) in education and describes the use of a database management system to evaluate and monitor university course effectiveness. Principles of TQM and feedback from students, faculty, administration, alumni, and employers to monitor the content and structure of various courses are included. (13…