Discusses implications for the Department of Education with the election of Ronald Reagan to the presidency. The future of the National Education Association (NEA) is also discussed, including its hopes for general aid to education and federal collective bargaining laws. Revision of higher education programs is also discussed. (CS)

The availability of Internet access in public libraries has raised concerns about free speech rights and library liabilities. This article, part one in a three part series, examines the constitutional background for free speech and Internet provision, defining "speech" and highlighting limitations to free speech and court analysis of…

Discusses how many college officials expect chaos when the federal government imposes its January 30 deadline for colleges to comply with Sevis, a computerized system for tracking foreign students. (EV)

The Internal Revenue Service is finding that a number of colleges have failed to withhold proper amounts of tax from employees, evaded required payments of unrelated-business income tax, allowed students to avoid paying certain Social Security taxes, and allowed foreign students to avoid tax withholding on most income. (MSE)

The Internal Revenue Service has begun to question more seriously the accounting methods used by universities to determine unrelated business income tax (UBIT). Current and future impact of the UBIT are discussed, and a method of calculating the tax is detailed. (Author/MSE)

A federal court decision overturning federal regulations requiring research institutions to present plans for care and use of laboratory animals has renewed debate over laboratory animal welfare. University scientists fear new, stricter Department of Agriculture regulations will result. (MSE)

The most recent tax law creates stiffer rules forcing donors to document their charitable gifts in exchange for offering charities relief from the 1986 Alternative Minimum Tax law. For colleges and universities, who already follow relatively stringent receipt rules, the new regulation is a free and valuable benefit. (MSE)

Users and producers of copyrighted materials are working to determine "fair use" guidelines, like those established in 1976 for printed materials, music, radio, and television programs, to govern access to online documents. Debate is over the need for and feasibility of extending compensation regulations to electronic materials. (MSE)

An appellate court found that Michigan's popular prepaid college tuition program is not subject to federal income taxes, reversing an earlier decision. The program, considered a model for other states, was suspended in 1991 due to fund depletion from tax payments. The Internal Revenue Service is considering an appeal. (MSE)

A discussion of Australian higher education looks at the nature of quality and its assessment in higher education, particularly in the context of a new national committee on quality assurance. It examines the compatibility of quality management strategies with existing institutional decision-making and management processes. (MSE)

A new federal regulation requires that both students and institutions repay the portion of student aid not used for education. Students must repay the "unearned" portion, less a 50% discount; colleges must return the portion of student aid that does not cover the period in which they were enrolled. Critics include community colleges,…

To avoid California schools' experience with Occupational Safety and Health Administration fines, principals should comply with safety regulations, establish quick-response procedures, take care of chemicals, prepare site personnel for state OSHA visits, inform safety personnel about procedures for appealing citations, keep good records, and work…

The National Highway Traffic Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) is in the midst of the first school-bus crash tests in more than 10 years. Its report is expected in June 2000, and those on both sides of the seat-belt debate are waiting to see what NHTSA will recommend on passenger restraints in large school buses. A sidebar lists sources…

A donor-advised fund, increasingly popular for college giving, can be used by donors for immediate tax benefits and flexibility in charitable giving. The donor makes an irrevocable gift to the fund, which is considered a charitable organization, and the fund administrator invests the gift. The donor specifies the amount to be given and the…

This National Council on Disability (NCD) annual progress report to the President and Congress covers the period December 2005 through December 2006. The report is divided into 13 chapters, each dealing with a major area of public policy. These subject-specific chapters are preceded by an introductory Major Trends section that identifies…