Federal constitutional, statutory, and case law dealing with minority-targeted scholarships and admissions are reviewed. Applicable laws and standards, standing, admission and scholarship procedures, affirmative action, and holistic assessments are discussed. It is concluded that many existing affirmative action programs may violate the Fourteenth…

Two issues are discussed: (1) reasons for raising global and international human rights issues in constitutional law, civil rights, and administrative law courses in United States law schools; and (2) barriers to globalization of courses and ways to overcome them. (MSE)

With a recent court decision, defamation joins plagiarism, copyright infringement, and scientific fraud as grounds for litigation against academic reporters, universities, and other research institutions. Research institutions should maintain high research standards and learn about defamation law, and may need to adopt policies to ensure accurate…

Discussion of hate speech on college campuses focuses on whether the concept of hate speech encompasses expression deserving full First Amendment protection and thus virtual immunity from college regulation. It is argued that the Supreme Court could sustain some form of hate-speech policy on campus based on precedent elsewhere. (MSE)

Vouchers' constitutionality was given new life by "Agostini vs. Felton," in which the U.S. Supreme Court reversed an earlier decision banning onsite delivery of Title I services in sectarian schools. "Agostini" may signal a new era favoring increased aid to religiously affiliated schools, such as those participating in…

The opportunity for and expectation of parents' involvement in the education of their children is a staple of the American educational system. The absence of parent participation in their children's education has been decried by educators as a contributing factor to a range of problems in schools, from poor academic performance to disciplinary…

Many jurisdictions have implemented curfews in reaction to increased juvenile delinquency and other social trends. This bulletin explores developments in curfew ordinances, legal issues related to curfews, how community based jurisdictions have responded to these issues, and the elements of sound curfew programs as illustrated in seven…

The relationship of the University of Hawaii and its governing board to the state government, specifically the legislature and its major executive departments, was assessed with attention to institutional autonomy and the protection of academic freedom. Major findings of the review include the following: a 1978 constitutional amendment appears to…

In 1988, California voters passed a constitutional ballot initiative, Proposition 98, that required local districts to publish School Accountability Report Cards containing information on specific school characteristics. This study documents some key events leading to the passage of Proposition 98 and the subsequent implementation of the report…

This article examines the interrelated legal and scientific nature of the creationism controversy. It discusses "McLean vs. Arkansas Board of Education" and analyzes current tactics used by creationists, concluding that they are constitutionally impermissible. An approach is proposed that balances First Amendment interests with the need…

In order for citizens to be capable of fully engaging in civic and political life, they must possess a minimum of civic skills. Civic skills include personal communication skills, knowledge of political systems, and the ability to critically think about civic and political life. Numerous civic skills have been identified theoretically, but only…

Implications of public disclosure laws, both state and federal, for university research culture and practices are examined. Issues discussed include research documentation, funding, scientific norms, patent rights for federally funded inventions, the university-industry research relationship, academic freedom, and the Freedom of Information Act.…

Analyzes the results of recent court cases concerning the constitutionality of mandatory student fees and discusses their implications for student affairs practice. To date, courts have ruled mandatory student activity fees permissible when they do not unduly infringe on students' constitutional rights. Offers eight principles for designing…

The case of an indigent library patron recovering a judgment against a public library is used as a backdrop for discussing patron behavior policies in the public library. Highlights include First Amendment rights, the public library as an expressive forum, government rules, policy lessons from the case, and acceptable policies. (AEF)

Threatening student web sites raise complex legal questions for schools. According to "Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), students' First Amendment rights must be abridged to ensure an orderly school environment. Recent litigation, educator rights, American Civil Liberties Union interventions, and legally defensible strategies for schools are…