Emphasis on consumerism in higher education as manifest through new federal rules and regulations and the tightening of existing ones is a source of new pressure for the community college. Consumerism provides a focal point around which reforms can take place; appropriate steps can be taken by community colleges to interact positively with this…

The issues underlying the trend toward educational consumerism are examined along with federal directives initiated to protect students. What they are being protected from is also considered. Whether institutions can effectively respond to public pressure is addressed. (Editor/LBH)

A study drew on observation and interview data to examine the early encounters of traditional-age first-year students with campus bureaucracy, focusing on their definitions and coping strategies. Though frustrated by lines, impersonal treatment, and "runarounds," most accepted bureaucracy with superficial equanimity. Results help explain how…

Reviews literature on retention as it relates explicitly to women and people of color, finding that despite gains made in enrollment, these students seem to have a particularly difficult time completing degrees. Reflects on key variables that affect persistence in this group and institutional responses. Discusses the need for curricular reform and…

Suggests how to stimulate interest in and support for a program in technical communication. Focuses on generating the publicity and contacts needed to get students and local industry involved in such a program. Maintains that encouraging professionalism among students promotes program growth, high standards, and high visibility. (SR)

Institutional responsibility for hazing injuries was called into question in a Delaware Superior Court in the case of "Furek v. University of Delaware." In ruling in the university's favor, the court signaled that universities may move to eliminate hazing without unreasonable fear of creating institutional liability for hazing incidents.…

Reviews educational reform literature advocating changes in the organization of teachers' work to foster teacher satisfaction and effectiveness by treating them as reasonable, capable, and autonomous persons. Focuses on participative decision making, learning for improved practice, and evaluation. Decries the lack of parallel arguments regarding…

Cornell University's American Indian Program is a multidisciplinary intercollege program that includes 18 courses, a residence hall, publications, research, and student activities and support services. Cornell's full-circle approach helps Indian students to remain culturally intact while receiving a university education and to return to their…

Using a system of alumni class agents for college advancement can be effective, but common problems include weak class identity, large class size, overburdened staff, and poor class communication. Institutions can help by offering on-campus training for class agents, communicating regularly, and recognizing agents' contributions and successes.…

A discussion of distance education as the fastest-growing instructional pattern in the world looks at enrollment trends and the immediate concerns of the institutions, including student attrition, the need to maintain strong communication links with students, and administrative and logistical problems. (MSE)

Reports a qualitative examination of five institutions of higher education whose African American, white, and Latina women graduates achieved a measurable degree of postbaccalaureate success. Identifies eight women-friendly characteristics, including having high academic expectations, having a clear sense of mission and history, providing positive…

Article represents a symposium that examined the problem of college drinking. Findings are presented and integrated from four longitudinal studies that involved nationally representative samples and single university samples. The primary goal was to better understand what motivates and inhibits risky drinking from a developmental perspective, and…

Two approaches to flexible learning were tried in an Australian college of technical and further education: in engineering, the industry enterprise approach focused on employers as clients; in office administration, the individual customization approach viewed the student as client. Each model fit different types of training needs and contexts.…

The purpose of this report is to examine college readiness among Latino students using results from EXPLORE[R] (for students in grade 8 or 9), PLAN[R] (for students in grade 10), and the ACT[R] test (for students in grade 11 or 12). Latino students include Mexican American/Chicano students, Puerto Rican students, Cuban students, and other students…

The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education's report,"Measuring Up 2006: The National Report Card on Higher Education" found that among 27 industrialized nations, the United States has fallen to fifth in the percentage of young adults enrolled in college and has dropped to sixteenth in the proportion of those students…