The practice of "franchising" higher education programs, or provision of educational programs through vendors, is examined as it occurs in the United Kingdom as a result of recent educational policy changes. A set of principles for assuring the quality of such programs is proposed. (MSE)

Four experienced college alumni volunteers offer information and opinions on how and why they became volunteers, how they serve, amount of time spent volunteering, what the alumni office does that is most helpful, how to keep volunteers from feeling overburdened, how to reward volunteers, and working with a spouse. (MSE)

Both centralized and decentralized college or university development programs have advantages, depending on the nature and needs of the institution. Changing program structure may have consequences that reach far beyond fund-raising details. A survey of 10 institutions revealed some common characteristics and many hybrid forms of organization.…

Eight steps to use in promoting the alumni office on campus and create lasting ties with other campus offices are outlined. They include keeping in personal contact with campus colleagues, staying involved in campus programs, keeping the top administrators and campus informed of activities, garnering support, being professional, keeping current.…

Reviews findings from a 1971 study of the structure and design of community services/continuing education (CS/CE) in community colleges; and from a 1989 study of the tasks that CS/CE administrators perform. Assesses CS/CE administrators' leadership role in helping people build communities and other aspects of the community college mission. (DMM)

A discussion of the constructive role of sororities on college campuses offers a profile of sororities and their members, looks at changes occurring during the sorority experience, weighs benefits and detriments, and offers suggestions for program development and administration that promote healthy student development and leadership models. (MSE)

The University of California (Davis) has revamped its workers' compensation program by improving accountability and safety, implementing safety training, informing workers of the costs of the workers' compensation program, designating a physician and physical therapist, giving light duty to injured employees, using sports medicine techniques, and…

The Georgia Southern University admissions office implemented Total Quality Management (TQM) principles to control the quality of information management. It is suggested that, although TQM is used best on an institutionwide basis, it can also be useful in improving quality, reducing cost, increasing productivity, and achieving competitiveness on a…

This article on the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented (a consortium of universities, state departments of education, parent groups, and school districts) addresses problems in research on gifted education, the Center's rationale and mission, its component parts, its research on typically underrepresented populations, and its…

The values and successes of college sports to higher education are threatened by patterns of abuse, particularly in larger programs. The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics' report and recommendations for reform are designed to stem abuses and help athletics find its proper and legitimate role. (MSE)

Advancement services, the group of functions that support fundraising and alumni relations, has evolved to include donor relations and stewardship, data processing analysis and programing, budget development and analysis, and event management. Centralizing these services under a single manager can lead to greater productivity. (MSE)

Chapters included are (1) introduction; (2) mental health problems affecting Indian people; (3) impact of mental health problems on Indian communities; (4) the service delivery system; (5) treatment modalities; (6) mental health providers; (7) holding the system together; and (7) a model Indian mental health system. (KS)

Offers guidelines on the development of nontraditional study abroad programs (i.e., those open to sophomores and seniors as well as juniors and to students without foreign language proficiency). Discusses program promotion, and student recruitment, selection, orientation, and reentry to the U.S. Stresses the need for a full-time program director.…

The first years of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) pilot project to collect benchmark data on college costs and service levels are discussed, focusing on lessons learned, needs identified, current use of the results, and the project's place in the association's long-term research plan. (MSE)

Louisiana's program of state merit scholarships, inspired by Georgia's HOPE Scholarship program, is over budget in its first year because lawmakers pushed to expand eligibility and data for estimating costs was inadequate. Critics find such programs often provide aid to families with little financial need. The program pays full tuition at state…