Virginia Commonwealth University confronted shrinking resources for its urban mission by creating a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) degree program. The program addressed a number of challenges and was built using existing resources in the university and professional communities. Despite early financial concerns, the program now combines needed…

Describes findings gathered from evaluation of the University of Central Florida's distributed learning system with respect to student demographics, perceptions, success strategies, learning styles, and success/withdrawal rates. Discusses how classes featuring reduced face-to-face presence, combined with Web-based instruction, produce superior…

This paper classifies the university economic impacts on a local community into their short- and long-term effects. The study then offers a classification scheme of university communities by the size of their regions and by their influences. Next, the paper suggests ways that economic impacts vary across university types and describes and…

This document provides an overview of a cooperative venture (inner-city university/inner-city school district) in the training of reading teachers and other district-credentialed personnel to become inservice leaders in a district-wide inservice program. The program is designed to augment and enhance reading skills and to provide the…

One of five papers discussing the humanistic model used in the training of reading teachers at City College of New York, this paper deals with procedures used to sensitize students to their own behavior as they work with urban children. The procedures described involve role play and simulations that allow potential teachers to identify their…

In 2003-04 representatives from six baccalaureate-granting Hispanic-Serving Institutions in three state public university systems participated in a project entitled, "Latino Student Success at Hispanic-Serving Institutions." These institutions include two from California State University--(Los Angeles and Dominguez Hills), two from City…

Explores the difficult position of a public regional university that is part of a multiuniversity, single-board system. Describes University of Southern Maine initiatives to establish external linkages, assesses outcomes to date, and discusses challenges of such a system. Notes forces that simultaneously divide and bring together, requiring…

Argues that without the usual advantages of donor loyalty and institutional prestige, urban universities can make a case for support based on their regional and statewide impact and on the quality, cost effectiveness, and value of academic programs and research. Discusses why people give to urban universities; describes how Portland State…

Project Refocus, the University of Missouri Kansas City's long-term, cross-sector collaborative project brings together business, labor, government, and higher education to address changing employment needs and retraining of laid-off workers. The program's 15-year evolution, activities, achievements, and lessons learned are described. (Author/MSE)

Although urban community colleges enroll increasing proportions of minority and low-income students, their transfer rates remain low. However, there are some urban community colleges whose transfer rates exceed the national average by two or three times. Their approaches to transfers encompass both bureaucratic elements and informal, cultural…

Describes the process of change at Syracuse University (New York) focusing on the role of core values, institutional mission, and a vision for the future in the change process at a time of declining enrollment and economic difficulties. Results of the process are noted, and suggestions are made for adapting the approach for public colleges and…

Discusses three interrelated policy initiatives at Georgia State University concerning faculty workload, the system for post-tenure evaluation, and salary equity. Each policy has ramifications for the others, and experience has shown benefit in an integrated, collegial approach to these issues. Also examines problems and benefits in developing and…

Two surveys, in 1977 and 1987, provide data for analyzing and explaining change in these institutions. Data from a sample are compared to those for higher education in general, giving particular attention to two dimensions: access and graduate education. Local demography and economic conditions as contributors to stability are considered.…

This article describes a three-year collaborative affiliation between the Baltimore Theatre Project and the Department of Theatre at Towson State University (Maryland). It discusses initial encounters and connections, reasons for collaboration, difficulties finding and using time, successes, difficulties, and the effects of collaboration. (JB)

Weber State University (Utah) has successfully implemented shared decision making and governance between faculty and administration. Critical elements were communication, faculty involvement, and trust. Two major decisions and their outcomes are compared. One was made without faculty input and the other was made with the new shared decision-making…