Key strategies for improving the achievement levels of minority group students in predominantly white institutions include pre-college programs and services addressing preparation problems and the academic environment, promoting student involvement in campus life, and close attention to campus racial climate. (MSE)

Gives a brief historical review of student development and explores difficulties which emerge from inappropriate adoption of the student development model. Proposes an alternate perspective that preserves student education as fundamental to colleges and student affairs and suggests change strategies. (JAC)

Changes in student attitudes, beliefs, self-concepts, and behaviors are reviewed, and findings on their satisfaction with various aspects of the college environment are summarized. Also discussed are sex differences and patterns of student development and their implications for both governmental and institutional policy. (AF)

A review of the literature on minority underrepresentation in higher education and issues specific to community colleges suggests several solutions, including improved institutional commitment to hiring for diversity among faculty and administrators, multicultural expertise as a qualification for some positions, more hospitable campus and…

Builds on the assumption that colleges and universities are organizations and subsequently that the organizational perspective provides important insights for improving retention on campuses. A review of existing organizational studies of undergraduate persistence serves as the basis for ten empirically-based recommendations for practice that are…

Examines five shibboleths (common ideas) about the relationship between campus culture and student persistence. Describes a six-step approach for using the peer group and classroom as key elements in cultivating a success-oriented institutional culture. (Author/EV)

This report points to recent social, economic, and technological changes in Canadian society that have produced significant challenges to higher education, and provides recommendations for improving the educational climate of higher education institutions and classrooms. It presents background information on positive learning environments and…

The issue of alcohol use, with occasional reference to other drug use, by college students is reviewed in this report: which (1) summarizes what is known about the influence of collegiate environments on college student use of alcohol; and (2) suggests how campus policies and practices can be modified to create environmental conditions that have a…

A conceptual model of undergraduate socialization is presented. The framework incorporates several elements of the models developed by Feldman (1972) and Hochbaum (1968), but combines these models in a different way and incorporates the more recent work of Astin (1978). Of particular concern is an examination of the complex covariation among (1)…

Need-based theories of work motivation are considered with particular reference to university faculty; it is hypothesized that three different types of people are attracted to the academic setting: (1) those who want to teach, (2) those who want to do research, and (3) those who want to do both. According to need theories, certain fundamental…

Studied how positive the educational and social experiences were for vastly outnumbered and socially segregated minority students at a predominantly white university. Responses from 240 black and white students show that minority students are daily reminded, overtly and covertly, of their minority status. The alienation from campus life this…

Introduces the journal issue's articles and their theme that focuses on the controversy over university practices and mission in responding to changing demographics in a multicultural society. Reviews positions of Eurocentric traditionalists and multicultural perspective proponents. Urges that higher education broaden the constituency of…

Key institutional, social, and psychological factors that may be visible or invisible barriers to women and ethnic minorities seeking academic careers are examined, drawing on recent literature. Recommendations for change at the elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and graduate levels are offered. (MSE)

Reluctance of college faculty to teach critical thinking may be due to many factors. Proactive strategies for reducing resistance include creating a positive context for change, communicating expertness and credibility, creating a sense of safety and trust, countering sources of student resistance, and creating high hopes and expectations for…

Drawing from an analysis of the literature on student attrition and retention at community colleges, this paper presents a typology of retention strategies as a structure by which further research can advance. Introductory material explains the typology, which categorizes retention strategies according to whether their purposes are to: (1) sort…