Four books published about Harvard University that evoke clear images of what many people call the greatest institution of higher education in America are discussed. Two of the books congratulate, while two debunk. (MLW)

The key variable in attracting private financial support is no longer private versus public status. Instead it is institutional prestige and a number of factors related to perceptions of institutional value, including direction, mission, strength of leadership, and distinctive features. (MSE)

Although higher education institutions dislike rankings published in the mass media, they like the attention the rankings create and prefer to be included rather than excluded. Common criticisms of the methodology include emphasis on inappropriate criteria, unfair comparison of private and public institutions, faulty assumptions, inaccurate data,…

Mount Holyoke College was examined to see how it manages itself, how it raises and spends money. Holyoke's president understood that, in a competitive age, the key was not so much educating as it was positioning. Marketing and price fixing are discussed. (MLW)

The way that institutional research directors manage their professional development and career paths was assessed, based on a survey of Association for Institutional Research members. Those contacted had been identified as successful persons in the field who had actively participated in the advancement of institutional research by contributing to…

The behavior of universities is considered from an economic perspective. It is assumed that both the administration and the faculty pursue goals consistent with their own self-interests. In addition to reviewing studies from other disciplines, the market in which institutions compete is described, and a formal model of the university as a…