Describes a study conducted at 25 community college campuses in 13 states exploring 9 variables known to influence institutional climate, faculty professional self-esteem, and student learning (e.g., appropriate participatory management, honesty, open communications, and control over classroom-related matters). Summarizes responses from 1,286…

A study of five private liberal arts colleges (Arkansas, Catawba, Pomona, Waldorf, Washington) examined organizational changes in the 1980s, contributing factors, and overall institutional impact. Results suggest the colleges were better places to work and learn than a decade earlier, with improvements in campus life, curricula, faculty…

Programs for faculty and teaching assistants at eight universities were designed to address the instructional needs of increasingly diverse student populations. Common elements of success included institutional commitment, administrative support, faculty involvement, active learning strategies, facilitator training, and evaluation. The programs…

Findings from the Modern Language Association survey, based on returns from 598 2- and 4-year colleges, are reported. Factors affecting department chairs' conditions of service and perquisites were found to be the presence of a union; levels of instruction offered; number of students; number of languages offered; and faculty size. (Contains two…

Based on a survey of American Indian four-year college faculty, recommendations are made for colleges to enhance the environment for and retain this population. The following issues are discussed: the need for institutional commitment to hiring of American Indians; mentoring; and perceptions of research by American Indians. (MSE)

Open University (United Kingdom) surveyed 33 undergraduate students to determine factors which led to transfers from the Open University to other campus universities. Reasons for transfer included to speed up qualification, course availability, grants, personal reasons, costs, and university prestige. Problems and benefits of transferring to…

To minimize breaches of computer security, colleges and universities should (1) establish and disseminate policies and procedures regarding computer security; (2) inform users about what constitutes a criminal act; (3) take measures to protect all information in the organization, beginning with a campus security review; and (4) schedule regular…

The problems presented by alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use and abuse among college students are varied and sometimes complex. College student health services should continue to take a leadership role in addressing substance abuse issues on campus, through efforts to change both behavior and environment. (MSE)

Whether law schools should remain institutionally neutral concerning fundamental political and moral issues facing society is examined. The discussion looks at the purposes of the university in the modern world, the core of knowledge needing preservation, areas of inquiry no longer valid, new priorities for inquiry, and faculty role. (MSE)

Discusses the technology issues that arose in the process of implementing the Integrated Information Center (IIC) at the University of Minnesota. Highlights include the concept of integrated information services; implementation issues involving multiple organizational units; library support issues; opportunities for end user development; and…

Common pitfalls for colleges and universities in hiring faculty and in career development efforts are identified, and recommendations are made for both faculty and administrators to begin to halt the attrition of minority and female faculty members. (MSE)

This article examines the issue of "political correctness" on U.S. campuses and suggests that much of the controversy is a creation of the press, has little factual basis, and may be partially a reaction by the press establishment to increased numbers of women and minorities in journalism. (DB)

The definitions and descriptions of "quality" in higher education, stated in universities' official publications, were compared to the institutions' stated organizational goals, using Amitai Etzioni's theoretical framework for examining modern organizations. Conclusions indicate four factors define quality education: faculty, research, students,…

Liberal arts college deans have a special responsibility to link faculty needs with institutional resources and goals. Deans need to help faculty members find research projects and approaches that fit the college's resources and to support them in their sometimes competing roles. (MSE)

The quest for diversity must overcome the resistance of traditional White, male faculty to redefining the mission and curriculum of the liberal arts college. Change will be difficult, but it must occur if liberal arts colleges are to survive and maintain a central and relevant place in multicultural America. (MSE)