Provides an overview of technology transfer issues and discusses ways in which trustees can help ensure that academic mission is balanced with valuable opportunities for taking campus research to the marketplace. (EV)

A survey of 45 managers of South African welfare agencies found that post-apartheid policy seeks to increase community participation and decrease racial inequities in governing boards. However, social integration in terms of race, gender, and class has not yet been achieved. (Contains 34 references.) (SK)

Suggestions for board members to help them meet their obligations with proficiency and diplomacy include attend meetings with homework complete, know the rules, focus on policy not administration, advocate more than criticize, build consensus on important discussions, encourage risk taking by administrators, etc. (MLW)

Describes the Board of Directors' of the Miami-Dade Community College Foundation development of new bylaws. Provides information on the foundation's structure and functions, the concern of the Ad Hoc Committee on Governance with the issues of quorum and board member oversight, and the responsibilities of the foundation's committees. (DMM)

Until 1985, higher education was a growth industry, and new programs were a by-product of that growth. Now, new programs must be justified by extensive data analysis. This trend and others indicate governing boards are taking the new-program approval process seriously. (MLW)

The 1988 Chicago Reform Act has empowered minority parents to create change in their children's schools. Britain's Education Reform Act of 1988 had the same intent, but school governing bodies are still dominated by professionals, politicians, and business representatives. (SK)

Adult numeracy curriculum tends to be school-math based or limited to learners' immediate interests. An attempt should be made to expand it by integrating numeracy skills with preparation for responsible citizenship. (SK)

Without forceful and effective leadership, it is unlikely that American higher education will be able to improve the education of minority students. This includes setting institutional enrollment and graduation goals, supported by plans to remove barriers and improve teaching and learning, and aligning institutional incentives with goals and…

Considers how nonprofit organizations might look to administrators and faculty of colleges and universities for potential board members. Focuses on women in academic life vis-a-vis the nonprofit sector, since gender-specific issues must be addressed. Urges women in higher education to focus attention on need of nonprofit boards for their expertise…

The style of most public university governing boards is perfunctory policymaking, when it should be concerned with making dynamic improvements to create a more responsive institution. Many public university trustees are simply unaware of the sweeping nature of their governance responsibilities, and many important issues never show up on board…

Discusses the need for library directors to have micromanagement skills and presents five scenarios of problems that need micromanagement. Topics include knowing when to intervene, the need for strong personnel policies, relationships with councils and trustees, and the need for continuing education in management skills. (LRW)

Discusses how Southwestern Michigan College has hired the board chairman's son as president, raising questions about the potential conflicts of interest. (EV)

The work of accreditors can help boards ensure that distance learning is consistent with their institution's mission and purpose. The eight regional accrediting commissions have produced a draft document containing quidelines that boards can use to help ensure quality in distance learning initiatives in addressing institutional context and…

Describes how one university creatively financed its dormitory renovation without imposing undue hardships on students (and with approval from of the university's governing board and elected state leaders). Planners developed a nonprofit foundation to fund the recapitalization and renovation of the dormitories. The foundation owned the…

Three trustees and three journalists join in a roundtable discussion of how colleges and universities can improve relations with the news media. (EV)