The Supreme Court has heard arguments in a suit prompted by the University of Virginia's denial of funds to "Wide Awake," a Christian newspaper, based on the doctrine of separation of church and state. The justices appear divided on the issue. (MSE)

A three-judge panel of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled unanimously that civil rights groups could not sue the federal government to force it to take steps against states or colleges that may be breaking the law. (MLW)

A federal appeals court ordered new trials on whether curriculum at Alabama's predominantly white colleges discriminates against blacks by lacking content on black thought and history, and whether much of the state land-grant program should be shifted from Auburn University to Alabama A&M, a historically black institution. (MSE)

A federal district judge ruled that state officials failed to demonstrate the need to close Mississippi Valley State University and merge Mississippi University for Women with Mississippi State University to meet desegregation requirements. He ordered Mississippi to provide additional funds to two other black colleges, and approved a state plan…

The Clinton administration has asked the Supreme Court to force Virginia Military Institute, currently all male, to admit women rather than have the state create a similar leadership program for women at another institution. The case parallels litigation in South Carolina involving the Citadel. (MSE)

The Supreme Court's finding that the University of Virginia acted unconstitutionally in denying funds to students for a Christian newspaper not directly affiliated with a church raises new questions about legal issues of church-state separation and the allocation of student fees. Some legal experts feel the ruling could spell the demise of campus…

The recent Supreme Court refusal to hear a case appeal may prevent some church-related colleges from hiring only faculty sharing their beliefs. The earlier decision, involving hiring in a private elementary/secondary school, held that the institution was primarily secular, not religious by nature. (MSE)

The Supreme Court let stand a California court's ruling sharply limiting the right of administrators at public colleges to interfere with faculty members' curriculum decisions. The ruling came from a 1986 decision by the San Diego Community College District to bar the staging of a controversial play. (MSE)

A federal court ruling to desegregate Louisiana state colleges and universities would require substantial changes, including creation of a single governing board and system, designation of Louisiana State University as a selective flagship institution, creation of a community college system, reduction of program duplication, and affirmative…