A survey of NACUBO institutions was made on a selective basis to determine what methods were being used and their degree of success in accomplishing the intended result. Patterns developed indicating that sound basic management techniques were being employed even by the smallest and presumably least sophisticated institutions. This bulletin…

Discusses the current status and future direction of science at liberal arts colleges. Summarizes findings of a conference attended by leaders of 50 private colleges and small universities on college science. States that students from small colleges fare well in later science endeavors. (ML)

Changes occuring in the student body of small private liberal arts colleges between 1975 and 1983 include shifts in college choice factors, the perceived importance of the school in getting a job after graduation, and cost considerations. Colleges must carefully develop new markets before crises occur. (MSE)

Large and small businesses have long financed capital projects through tax-exempt financing. Colleges that need large sums of money to retrofit campuses with energy-efficient equipment can achieve the lowest borrowing cost available through bond insurance. (Author/MSE)

The environments that seem to have the most impact on higher education are identified: demographic, economic, political, organizational, social, and technological. Insights from studies of institutions that were not successful in coping are presented. The part strategic planning can play in enabling institutions to cope with pressures is…

The small private college may be a better vehicle for recruiting a diverse student body into higher education than is commonly recognized. The only true competition in higher education is among a few well-endowed private institutions for the best students. It would be shortsighted to eliminate this sector.

Associations can provide information, expertise, and services that individual institutions do not always possess. Although membership in some associations is a necessity, it is important to choose carefully among others to gain optimal resources such as information, meetings, newsletters, and other points of contact. Some guidelines are provided.…

A study at Franklin and Marshall College to determine why research does not appear to have the beneficial effect on teaching that so many have assumed it does is discussed. It is thought that scholarship makes a professor more knowledgeable and that a more knowledgeable professor makes a better teacher. (Author/MLW)

Emphasizes that private liberal arts colleges must compensate for declining enrollments by admitting students who are underprepared for college-level work, and discusses financial and attitudinal barriers to doing so. Reviews the problems encountered by Skidmore College and its responses, including its basic writing curriculum, writing lab, and…

Discusses the special funding problems of small/rural two-year colleges, whose main supporters are the state and private donors. Reviews funding options and models, various formulas, and criteria. Suggests the differentiated flat grant as a funding approach and that specific formula dimensions be determined legislatively. (DMM)

To determine what small colleges are doing and what they ought to be doing about institutional advancement, 170 small college institutional advancement offices throughout the country were surveyed. Some guidelines for effectiveness include: documented college purpose, a commitment to advancement, adequate budget, monitor productivity,…

A consortia model for colleges within a short distance of each other is described. Particular attention is given to the components of consortial infrastructure: the policy board and the role of the deans, the consortium director, the campus program coordinators, and the students' departmental boards. (Author/MLW)

Chief student personnel administrators for small/rural community colleges were surveyed to compare their student personnel programs to a major student development model, so as to provide for a basis for comparison of small college student personnel programs. A profile of chief personnel administrators of small colleges is described. (RC)

This first in a series of problem-solving exercises challenges readers to examine a small college faced with declining enrollment, decreasing financial support, and industrial pollution. Background information is provided and includes enrollment trends, finances, and characteristics of the administrators, faculty, students, and trustees.…

This article argues that while small colleges appear to be poorly positioned to be technology leaders, they have opportunities to distinguish themselves through focused applications of information technology resources in support of their missions. Costs, risks, and benefits of taking a leadership role in technology are discussed. (Author/MSE)