Since the publication of "A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform" by the U.S. Department of Education in 1983, American higher education has faced the need to develop its own effective means of learning assessment to forestall the prospect of government-imposed standardized procedures. The latter potential may have moved closed…

Delays in publication of articles in economics are examined, drawing on a survey of researchers in the field. It is concluded that members of this and other disciplines are responsible for more efficient peer review. A restructured selection process, better communication with referees, and enhanced policing of reviewers are also recommended. (MSE)

This article decries the heavy use of student evaluations in decisions about faculty retention, tenure, and promotion. It suggests these numerical evaluations are actually consumer satisfaction surveys, have not been validated, encourage dumbed-down education, and are not useful to teachers seeking to improve instruction. (DB)

Argues that if higher education is to get rid of affirmative action, it should first discontinue special admission of less qualified candidates who are admitted because they are athletes, alumni children, or the children of friends of administrators. Reports on a survey of 52 black college students concerning effects of affirmative action. (MSE)

Examines changes in the way many universities conduct presidential searches, outlines the American Association of University Professors' position on presidential searches and the rationale behind it, and discusses secrecy issues. Describes the University of Washington's recent experience and the results of a survey concerning practices on 100…

A survey of 63 college provosts and academic vice presidents concerning evaluation of tenured faculty found that, although frequency and form of evaluation vary widely, the large majority of institutions do perform regular reviews of tenured faculty. Most respondents also felt that the tenure system works relatively well. (MSE)

Disciplinary and rank salary differences in higher education are immense and growing, and neither a marketplace nor a uniform approach explains or guides the setting of academic salaries. Salary differences must be prevented from generating feelings of second-class citizenship to maintain a common purpose among faculty. (MSE)