Results of a survey of public attitudes toward the activities conducted by Arizona's three public universities are presented, with a focus on the total Arizona university system rather than individual institutions. Priorities were assigned to the activities conducted by the three universities by all Arizona legislators and trustees, and random…

Student perceptions of the effectiveness of three state universities was studied: Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University. An operational definition of effectiveness was proposed based on the literature, and a list of organizational activities was validated by administrators, faculty, community…

Reviews a study of the performance of transfer students from Arizona community colleges to two Arizona universities. Transfer students' grade point averages and degree attainment rates were comparable to those of native students. Students transferring after two years at the community colleges outperformed those transferring after one year. (CRB)

This book examines the influence of policy environments, system design, and leadership on the performance of state higher education systems, using case studies of seven large and diverse state higher education systems: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Texas. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the evolution of state…

The roles of urban community colleges, state universities, and state government in promoting the attainment of bachelor's degrees among urban community college students were investigated in the following urban settings: Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Miami, Newark, Philadelphia, Phoenix, St. Louis, and Tampa-St. Petersburg. In each city, the…

Ten public universities were chosen for a study of the factors that cause minority students to succeed. Criteria used in selecting institutions included: public baccalaureate granting, commitment to providing opportunities to minorities, and diverse missions and geographic locations. (MLW)

Four profiles for success in minority degree achievement are examined: well-prepared, second-generation college students with commitment to higher education; first-generation students with a belief in education; first- and second-generation students who questioned the value of education; and first-generation students who never intended to go to…

The academic persistence of undergraduate students at Arizona State University was studied. Demographic and academic profiles were developed, and persistence rates were calculated for the overall population of 3,166 freshmen, and by gender and ethnicity. Additional demographic variables were residency status and age. The academic variables…

The Western Policy Exchange Project is designed to help states assess the implications of environmental changes on their own higher education system. In roundtables and policy workshops, six Western states--Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Arizona, and Washington--looked for evidence of systemic change and proposed the following five…

Information, analysis, and commentary are presented in a report that examines the progress and difficulties that states are having in assuming more of a moral and practical leadership role in achieving equity in higher education among minorities. The report discusses the fundamental dilemma states face in trying to foster greater institutional…

A study was conducted to compare the academic persistence, performance, and degree attainment of three groups of students who were enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at Arizona State University, the University of Arizona or Northern Arizona University between 1976 and 1980. The study groups were defined in terms of the students'…

This guide provides information for policy leaders who need to develop or revise action plans aimed at improving learning environments for an increasingly diverse student clientele. The self-assessment is organized into three sections. The first section introduces the self-assessment, defines key terms, discusses the conceptual framework that…