Boards often hire someone new to the presidency both to benefit from fresh thinking and to avoid tapping someone who has done the same thing in the same way at multiple institutions. And yet, the decision to take a chance on a rookie chief executive creates one of the riskiest situations in higher education. One reason it is fraught with risk is…

Describes the effort the state of Alabama has exerted to construct and use content-oriented tests valid for ranking applicants for employment in the state merit system. (IRT)

Details the views of author William Bridges on the future of jobs, the workplace, and employee practices. Addresses key aspects of labor market change discussed by Bridges in his book: "Job Shift: How to Prosper in a Workplace without Jobs." (SNR)

An approach to selecting architects goes through filters of screening, presentations, and interviews before the final selection. Architect's hints accompany the description of each filter. (MLF)

Discusses issues of database security and integrity, including computer crime and vandalism, human error, computer viruses, employee and user access, and personnel policies. Suggests some precautions to minimize system vulnerability such as careful personnel screening, audit systems, passwords, and building and software security systems. (JKP)

Illinois libraries and library districts should be aware of the employment "at-will" doctrine in their hiring, firing, and employment policy decisions. Because changes in the law require greater scrutiny of employment manuals and policies, recommendations are made for reducing administrative burdens, record keeping, reviewing employment…

Examines the relationship between course developers and instructors in large corporations. Highlights include hiring practices for training department personnel; qualifications sought by the organization; self-report of competencies; separation of responsibilities; job frustrations; role of technology; and management's role in facilitating…

Examines the age demographics of ARL (Association of Research Libraries) members in the larger context of North America's trend toward population aging. Discusses how the baby boom affected hiring in higher education by creating a need for increased staffing and by having a large number of baby boomers as librarians. (Author/LRW)

Presents a personal account of one individual's transition from graduate school at a research university to teaching at a small college. Describes her ideas about the hiring process. Discusses how she adjusted to her new career. Considers problems encountered and how she works through those problems. (SC)

Argues that the university presses are immune from racial change and discusses the problem of using location as an argument for not being able to lure blacks into university publishing. Howard University Press is used to illustrate the problem of budget cutting and the ability to boost black recruitment efforts or establish a united black press…

Superintendent describes the factors that define the fit between a candidate and a particular superintendency. Concludes that the most important factor is chemistry. Advises candidates to rely on intelligence, information, and instinct when deciding whether a new superintendency is a good fit. (PKP)

Offers superintendents advice on how to conduct themselves in job interviews with boards of education. Suggests that candidates clearly articulate to the board who they are and what they believe in educationally. (PKP)

Spousal hiring in higher education institutions is becoming a common practice in this day and age. Sought-after faculty members often base their decisions as to whether or not to accept a position at a certain college or university on whether or not their spouse or partner can be accommodated at the same institution. Colleges and…

The most important responsibility of any Board of Education is the selection of its Superintendent of Schools. The Council of the Great City Schools compiled this document to assist its member school boards in beginning the search for a new superintendent. Many models exist for conducting a search in urban schools: a basic and generic one is…

The article describes development in Illinois of the Department of Rehabilitation Services Sign Language Assessment Tool. The instrument is designed to evaluate the level of receptive and expressive sign language proficiency of rehabilitation personnel serving the deaf. (DB)