Patterns and trends in the type, selection, qualifications, and authority of upper-level university administrators in European countries are reviewed. A tendency toward the North American model of an institutional administrator specializing in a particular aspect of administration and assisted by a specialized staff of second-level administrators…

Changes in education and technology have substantially altered the kinds of skills required of university administrators, emphasizing the need for managerial and problem-solving abilities. Many of these skills can be acquired with appropriate training, but it will be increasingly necessary for institutions to assure that their managers have them.…

Formal management techniques are not widely used in European universities, despite the need for them in such complex systems and the conflict between self-management and external authority in some segments, such as the sciences. The coming challenge is for academic administrators to be able to identify and solve problems decisively. (MSE)

The advent of decision support systems, specific computer applications for organizational decision-making, redefines the primary professional role of institutional researchers, but a more comprehensive understanding of organizational behavior and development is necessary for them to work well. (MSE)

Results of a national survey of drug and alcohol use and smoking among college students are summarized, and the U.S. Secretary of Education's remarks to college presidents concerning their role in changing the trend are reported. (MSE)

A survey regarding class-related problems and their resolution found that the most common problems concerned faculty-student interactions. The most important technique of discovering them was individual discussion; techniques for resolution included administrator-student bag lunches and administration representatives on faculty committees. (MSE)

Elementary school principals rated attitudes and behaviors concerning the utilization of student achievement data: (1) commitment to influencing student achievement; (2) control in utilizing student achievement data; (3) use of data to evaluate programs and teachers; (4) effectiveness and accountability in use of data; and (5) principals' own…

Group discussions on three topical issues are summarized: internal institution management, including conflict resolution and administrators' leadership qualities and roles; institutional-government cooperation; and long-term social, economic, international, and educational trends. (MSE)

A sample of elementary and high schools was investigated to determine principals' influence on student achievement test scores. Analysis of variance estimated principals' effects while controlling for environmental and organizational factors. Findings indicate that principals exert a small but important influence on school performance. (TE)

Reports on a survey of high school newspaper advisers' attitudes toward student press rights and the adviser's role, indicating that most support a free and independent press, but, unlike college advisers, high school advisers were neutral concerning faculty/administration control where a potentially damaging article was concerned. (HTH)

This planning and development guide suggests that careful, comprehensive, long range planning combined with gradual program implementation and effective administrative leadership can create responsive middle school programs. Sample sequential objective charts and activity lists are included. (DCS)

The personal development needs of preadolescents make extended guidance programs for middle school students crucially important. This article describes steps for teacher advisory program development--including a sample curriculum outline and learning activity--and summarizes the program role of the principal, counselor, and teacher. (DCS)

The self-imposed external evaluation of a university grants office is reported, including discussions of the office's and administrator's roles, comparison with similar-sized institutions and programs, the review process, and its results. (MSE)

Delineates four basic components appropriate to serials librarianship which are generally inadequately stressed in library education: knowledge of capabilities of computers and telecommunications systems; knowledge of scholarly communication; complementary quantitative skills for decision making; and knowledge of basic economic principles.…

The meaning and dimensions of "leadership" in universities are examined, the role of the American college president is contrasted with that of his European counterparts, and the historical sources of the American university president's unique role are traced. (MSE)