A plan for all of the state of Maryland's 13 public colleges and universities to be included in the University of Maryland System is discussed. The system would be governed by a board of regents, and each college would have a board of trustees to monitor campus issues. (MLW)

The University of California at San Diego medical center has restricted the number of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome patients it treats, to avoid (1) limiting educational and treatment opportunities for medical students and (2) assuming a disproportionate amount of treatment costs. The policy is intended to provoke discussion of these issues.…

A federal appeals court has ruled that the University of Virginia, as a public institution, correctly denied a request that it help finance a Christian newspaper. The case centered on school policy concerning student organizations and is expected to go to the Supreme Court. (MSE)

Critics say the University of Maryland's race-specific scholarship program aids mostly well-off blacks and is biased against whites. The scholarships were established in 1979 to help make amends for the state's history of excluding blacks from the university. (MSE)

Public colleges and universities are seeking the authority to issue millions of dollars' worth of bonds to pay for construction projects. These requests are emerging as one of the major higher-education issues in legislative sessions this year. (MLW)

Incidents in the 1986 election year have called into question the appropriate role of senior administrators and trustees of public universities who want to participate in state political campaigns and the balance of personal rights to involvement with the need to preserve their institutions' independence. (MSE)

Bad economic times and the election of a staunchly conservative governor have forced Wisconsin university officials and government leaders into controversy over the future of the University of Wisconsin System. (MSE)

The first decline in state appropriations for higher education in 33 years is largely a result of the recession. Regionally, the East is faring worst. Many states are giving priority to community colleges and student aid. Data and rankings for each state are presented, including figures for major institutions. (MSE)

The University of California's decision to end some racial preferences used in admissions and hiring is seen by some as an admission of long-term violations of federal court rulings, and as an effort to stem a voter revolt against affirmative action. The regents' vote on the policy is expected to be close. (MSE)

The Supreme Court has ruled public colleges may not deny funds to student groups because they engage in religious activities. The case, involving the University of Virginia, sets looser standards for separation of church and state in higher education. Some see it as providing new protections against censorship and withdrawal of funds. Text of the…

Serving as a special master of a federal court, Paul R. Verkuil, the president of the College of William and Mary, developed a plan to integrate Louisiana's colleges. A governance structure, ending racial characteristics of historically Black colleges, and a quota for Black membership on the governing board are proposed. (MLW)

A new survey by the Virginia Council of Higher Education found that five states have imposed a ceiling on the number of out-of-state students who can attend their public institutions. Many people fear that their own state students are being denied admission because of nonresident applicants. (MLW)

The departure of the University of North Carolina's able and powerful president, William P. Friday, has prompted much debate about the structure and governance of the university system and its relationship to the state legislature. (MSE)

Higher education has emerged as a big issue in Louisiana's fall election campaign. Finance, governance, admissions standards, and desegregation are discussed. The six candidates include Governor Edwin W. Edwards, Billy Tauzin, Jim Brown, Speedy O. Long, Robert L. Livingston, and Buddy Roemer. (MLW)

California state commission recommendations cover a wide range of issues, including freshmen and sophomore enrollment at universities, minority student and faculty recruitment, and the tenure review process. The plans would update the 1960 Master Plan for Higher Education. (LB)