As a result of massification of higher education and the quest for competitiveness, the Taiwanese government has adopted a series of higher education reforms since the late 1990s. While the low birthrate has become a potential threat, recent developments in higher education policies such as the Program for Developing First-Class Universities and…

The demand for child care in the United States continues to grow, but child care workers' wages remain minimal. Using examples within New Jersey, the author demonstrates how low wages impact child care quality and are directly related to the effects of the competitive marketplace. Various historical, regulatory, and cultural contexts also…

Provides an assessment of part-time jobs in terms of how well they pay compared to full-time employment, the characteristics of part-time employees and where they work, and a comparison of nonwage benefits. It is concluded that the wage gap between these types of employment shrinks to under 10% when workers' characteristics are considered. (GR)

At most colleges and universities, fringe benefits are offered only to married faculty. Requiring marriage for benefit eligibility discriminates against all unmarried couples, homosexual or heterosexual. Resistance to providing benefits to unmarried couples is declining, but both gay and straight couples will have to lobby together for domestic…

Review of 19 case studies of gender inequity in faculty salaries found inappropriate application of statistical procedures. An alternative, seven-step procedure for salary modeling and testing allegations of salary discrimination is outlined and applied in a case study of 725 faculty. (MSE)

This article argues that, rather than raising the salaries of college presidents, thus widening the salary gap with faculty and possibly creating ill will, governing boards can provide better, long-term supplemental retirement programs that offer maximum reward, security, and control. This strategy can assist in recruitment and retention of…

The newsletter contains several separate sections which explore recent research on the information needs of the rehabilitation counselor or address issues counselors face when using supported employment with clients. An interview with Darlene Ackerman, a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Virginia, is include, in which she comments on barriers…

The applicability of the principle of comparable pay for comparable worth is discussed for college faculty jobs, not only for alleviation of sex discrimination but also for eliminating bias-related discrepancies between departments or specialties. (MSE)

The role of merit pay is examined in the contexts of two different faculty salary systems, and the interaction of the salary system and assessment of individual merit to produce particular patterns of faculty mobility is discussed. (MSE)

Issues in the debate over whether to pay college students for their work in student activities are examined, and the practices of a number of institutions on both sides of the debate are presented. Whether money acts as a motivator in this context is discussed. (MSE)

Statistics suggest that, despite ongoing financial difficulties, the rate of graduation from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is improving, and students of these colleges have higher average wages than similar individuals who did not attend college or who attended non-HBCUs. (MSE)

Issues of early retirement of college and university faculty are examined as they relate to Australia's aging faculty population, and the conditions necessary to promote early retirement successfully in this context are considered. (MSE)

The Teachers Insurance and Annuities Association's (TIAA) College Retirement and Equity Fund is criticized for its low returns and its chief executive officer's recent salary raise. It is said to be in need of additional regulation and policyholder involvement. A TIAA vice president responds that the analysis given is inaccurate and misleading.…

Argues that bookstores are not superior and do not pose a threat to libraries. Discusses what libraries can learn from bookstores; where bookstores fall short; low wages of bookstore clerks; misshelving problems in bookstores due to the classification system; how the library classification system can be improved; and libraries' strengths. (AEF)

A professional economist criticizes Gerald Bracey's view that the condition of public education has little to do with the state of the nation's economy. Most studies indicate that education contributes to growing productivity, higher wages, and a sound economy. Education can serve the nation's economic needs without sacrificing education's other…