A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the factors influencing college student persistence in remaining in school. Persistence was examined at two points: after the first year and 4 years after enrollment. The study was conducted at an urban university using the American College Testing's Entering Student Survey and Student Opinion…

Evaluating university residence hall environments at the beginning of the academic year can be valuable for determining environmental strengths and weaknesses and for making appropriate changes to enhance the environment. To evaluate the residence hall environment at Indiana University at Bloomington, a sample of students living in residence halls…

The role of the chief finance officer (CFO) in managing Christian, liberal arts colleges was studied at eight colleges with a reputation for being well managed. A profile of the eight CFOs includes these characteristics: they ranged in age from 40 to 61 with an average age of 51.5; they had been in this office an average of 11.5 years; and six of…

A survey of 1985 graduates of St. Mary's College (SMC) was conducted to determine current position, salary by type of position and major, graduate school attendance, job satisfaction, and views on their experience at SMC. Some data were obtained on 68% of the 1985 graduates. Graduate/professional school attendance (full-time) was reported by 15.3%…

The benefits of multiculturalism on the college campus and roles the college union can play are discussed. It is suggested that multiculturalism requires college union professionals to go one step beyond cultural pluralism by integrating the beneficial contributions of diversity. The following views are offered: (1) In addition to considering the…

In addition to academic pressures shared with American students, students from other countries studying in the United States have the stress of living in an unfamiliar culture. Common symptoms of culture shock (irritability, loneliness, depression, rigidity) have been identified. Parallel symptoms have been described in the learned helplessness…

The relative power of college culture, school functioning, and mission in explaining student performance outcomes was examined. The relationship between institutional attributes/cultures and undergraduate instructional effectiveness as perceived by faculty and administrators was studied with 320 four-year colleges. Respondents completed the…

The nature of changes in students and institutions since the 1950s and ecological responses to keep the student governance system current with institutional and student needs are discussed. Brigham Young University's approach is used as an example. Ecological models suggest that, even in systems where there are relative differences in power…

The American college presidency is examined, with attention to characteristics of those who become college presidents, how long they serve and where they go after leaving the presidency, and internal/external factors affecting their performance. The analysis is based in part on 800 interviews with presidents, their spouses, and other close…

A student engagement model is proposed to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the bond between student and college. The model focuses on a student's motivation for attending college, the tension that derives from conflicting motivations, and the social context of the student-college bond. The validity of the model was examined in a…

A theoretical analysis of embedded organizations (parts of a larger organization) is developed and eight propositions relative to the use of modifying responses by such organizational units are offered. Research was conducted on the responses of two colleges within a university to their respective growing/declining resource environments over an…

Sexual harassment is one concern of women graduate students in community psychology programs. When a sexual relationship exists between male faculty and female students, the distribution of power reflects the subordinate status of women and the dominant position of men. Many studies have documented the negative consequences of sexual contact…

This paper presents a counseling model for managers in education who must deal with staff, their problems, and their perceptions. The basic principle underlying the model is given: the helper is not expected to have ready-made solutions to others' problems, but to offer motivation, time, and skills to help others solve their own problems. The…

Senior administrators at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) guided the investigation of the college's safety and security. Through interviews, it was found that key concerns were protection of facilities (property), safety/security of university personnel, and the institution's public. An environmental approach to safety and security…

Research approaches to the complex issues related to college teaching and learning are discussed. Topics covered include: research itself (why improvement is needed, potential targets for improvement, types of research, and an integrated strategy for productive research); the learning activity; the teaching activity; learners; teachers;…