Urban institutions are typically located in diverse and vibrant cities. This diversity has changed over the decades, thus requiring campuses to address the complexity that is seen as these new American cities evolve. In this article the city of Buffalo is discussed as a city that manifests a continuous change in population diversity with a…

A frequent refrain in Utah County, which prides itself on being one of the most conservative communities in the country, is that its public institution of higher education, Utah Valley State College, should reflect "community values." Generally, the argument goes something like this: local taxpayers, who support the school, should not…

From an institutional perspective, the competition for the minds and the dollars of the public is best met with sharply focused missions. Major problems are identified: program quality, program costs, competitiveness, and changing markets of consumers seeking postsecondary educational services. (MLW)

The text of a report by the National Commission on the Role and Future of State Colleges and Universities concerning the need for substantial improvement in the leadership of the sector is presented. (MSE)

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) has issued a "social manifesto" on the future of higher education, "To Secure the Blessings of Liberty." It seeks to chronicle the fundamental changes in America's domestic environment and the resulting challenges to higher education. (MLW)

A proposed law barring public social services to illegal immigrants poses a dilemma for California colleges. It calls for state and local agencies, including colleges and universities, to report suspected violators. Opponents see the law as sanctioning racism. Fairness to students and burden on the institutions are major issues. (MSE)

Public college and university administrators are concerned about steady erosion of immunities and tort caps traditionally relied upon for protection against lawsuits. In this context, institutions must consider their protection in these areas: extension of protection to all employees; scope of employment; nongovernmental functions; foundations and…

Rural America struggles as a socioeconomic entity. While the community college has been an essential response to some of the needs of rural American higher education, the community college mission is not comprehensive enough to provide complete higher education needs. Four-year degree options are necessary for rural America to progress in economic…

The so-called binary system of postsecondary education in Australia, a subject of recent criticism, is found to be less a matter of concern than the related funding issues and concern for equitable support of all sectors. (MSE)

Advancement for the small public institution means providing resources for three prime missions--teaching, research, and public service. Identifying the resources means the president must know the institution's business, and acquiring the resources demands demonstration of effective political leadership. (MSE)

Autonomy, in the context of higher education, is defined as the ability of a university or college to govern itself without outside controls. Autonomy and academic freedom are discussed and procedural and substantive autonomy are distinguished. (MLW)

The origins and progress of the British effort to develop the private sector of higher education to provide educational diversity are discussed. Issues include private schools as non-profit organizations, capital funding and student-derived revenues, and mission and academic integration. (MSE)

In at least 10 states, conservative groups are pushing for ballot initiatives to limit gay-rights laws or remove public funding from gay organizations. Legal experts feel colleges and universities would be affected, particularly in constraints placed on curriculum content, college policies and services, and use of institutional facilities for…

This article describes how Michigan State University developed and implemented an institutional framework that identifies outreach and engagement as a scholarly, crosscutting function. These efforts sought to elevate the valuation of outreach and engagement across the institution and to ensure that outreach and engagement complemented the other…

Incursions into the autonomy of institutions and the sources and types of incursions that occur are described including: legislatures defining the intent and the specifications of the legislation; expenditure controls extended to desirability and propriety; and legal opinions on legislative intent. Procedural and substantive autonomy are…