Argues that when viewed as resources, constituencies of metropolitan universities can be used to effectively communicate institutional quality and garner new support. Outlines steps that external relations professionals can take to create involved constituencies for the university. Notes effective use of alumni in legislative efforts and creation…

Fund-raising professionals explain why private fund raising is important for metropolitan public universities, and describe the beginning of a $50-million campaign at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, a 33-year-old institution that had never mounted a major fund-raising effort. Development of campaign strategy, key campaign elements, and…

The three basic strategic objectives any metropolitan university must address in order to build a solid base of alumni support are the characteristics of the current student population, demographics and mindset of the alumni base, and relationships with the surrounding community. Activities at Boise State University (Idaho) in each of these areas…

A study at an urban university found that, while type of child care used by classified staff was not a significant predictor of absenteeism, care by nonrelatives was associated with significantly more absences than was care by relatives. However, satisfaction with care was a significant predictor of absenteeism. (MSE)

Urban governing regime theory holds that cities are governed by ongoing coalitions of local economic and political actors who, in processes more complex than once thought, work to achieve particular ends, particularly but not exclusively economic. The theory is summarized, implications for urban universities and leaders are examined, and the…

Describes the process of change at Syracuse University (New York) focusing on the role of core values, institutional mission, and a vision for the future in the change process at a time of declining enrollment and economic difficulties. Results of the process are noted, and suggestions are made for adapting the approach for public colleges and…

Argues that a strong case can be made for supporting outreach as a value-added function in a university. Specific strategies for positioning outreach within the university by developing a power base are outlined. The case of the University of Michigan-Flint is offered as an example of this approach. Seven lessons learned in the process are noted.…

Argues for college learning communities as vehicles for high school reform, and by extension, for reform of K-12 instruction. Such learning communities can model sound academic practices that all students should master in their last year of high school and first year of college. Programs at Temple University (Pennsylvania) and Portland State…

Urban and metropolitan college students often experience a traditionally organized curriculum as a series of disconnected course requirements. Portland State University (Oregon) has found that integrating attention to community-building as a central element of the core curriculum strengthened student and faculty affiliations and improved…

Discusses processes used to develop faculty workload policy at 13 campuses of the University of Maryland, unique in that it incorporates a report providing clear evidence of faculty productivity and increases in teaching productivity following implementation of the policy. A case study shows both the policy and the workload reporting method…

Describes the four-year process by which the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater redefined its faculty evaluation, promotion, and tenure system to link faculty rewards to student learning outcomes and to promote faculty priorities more consistent with the institution's mission. At the outset, two-thirds of the faculty were tenured. Topics discussed…

To develop a set of effective performance indicators, three campuses of Texas A&M University collaborated: a large research university, a historically black institution, and an urban campus undergoing major changes. Evolution of the project and the strategies used to develop core indicators while addressing the different institutional missions…