Over half of African-American college students fail to complete their degree work, for reasons minimally related to innate ability or environmental conditioning. The problem is that they are undervalued in ways that are sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant. Obstacles to achievement may be overcome in an atmosphere that reduces racial…

Student culture exerts significant influence on many aspects of college life by determining the kinds of people with whom one spends time and the values and attitudes to which one is exposed. To encourage attitudes and values consistent with the institution's educational purpose, cultural elements must be discovered and understood. (Author/MSE)

Examines the challenge institutions face in reconciling long-held academic values and their accompanying work practices with the demands of an external world on which universities have become more reliant. Particular reference is made to developments in Australia and to the potential impact of the "new players" (for-profit and virtual…

The ability of the university culture to adapt to changing environmental conditions that challenge the institution's primary functions and values (academic freedom, autonomy) is discussed, and management approaches that mirror the specific culture of a university are described. Methods for assessing culture are described, a typology for…

In the United Kingdom over the past few years there has been a dramatic growth of national and regional repositories to collect and disseminate resources related to teaching and learning. Most notable of these are the Joint Information Systems Committee's Online Repository for [Learning and Teaching] Materials as well as the Higher Education…

In May 2001, former Surgeon General David Satcher released the first national suicide prevention strategy, "The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action." Successful implementation of this plan requires comprehensive support and collaboration from individuals and organizations within the local community…

The literature of sexual harassment, particularly on college campuses, is reviewed. Topics discussed include definition of sexual harassment, legal implications, the role of individual perceptions, victim and peer response to harassment, and development of institutional policy and strategies for combatting harassment. A substantial bibliography is…

A model for regulating faculty-student consensual sexual relations in colleges and universities is offered. The model focuses on both removing conflict of interest and expanding women's ability to define the kinds of relationships they want. Standards for conflict of interest and unethical sexual advances are outlined. (MSE)

A discussion of the single-sex admission policy of college fraternities examines the potential for success of those policies in an era in which society and courts are pressing to abolish gender-based stereotypes and provide equal access to places of public accommodation. Five specific recommendations are made for fraternities wishing to preserve…

Contemporary college life resembles older forms of the American youth culture but differs by being a projection of a wider youth culture into college rather than a specially collegiate tradition. Analysis of modern college life gives insight into why undergraduates are satisfied with American higher education although critics are not. (Author/MSE)

The proportion of college students commuting to campus grows steadily. Nonetheless, many colleges still think in terms of the residential tradition. A model of institutional adaptation can be used to assess and change college environments for this population. The model focuses on access to institutional programs, basic services, and support. (MSE)

Structural constraints in colleges that hinder cooperation between academic and student affairs staff are examined, and specific strategies for overcoming them are suggested. These strategies include both changes in policies and administrative structures and development of initiatives that foster partnerships. (MSE)

A study compared the support provided by the University of Washington's Freshman Interest Group (FIG) program, which emphasizes interaction with faculty and peers, as compared with support provided in a traditional academic structure. Results confirm that FIGs provide more support, especially through classmates, but produce no overall difference…

The relationship between the history of the student and contemporary student life is explored, and enduring patterns are identified in three areas: the social origins of students; student culture and activism; and the perceived academic quality of students. It is concluded that students should be heard and taken more seriously. (MSE)

A theoretical model of organizational and administrative climate is presented that controls for effects of individual and institutional characteristics and predicts critical dimensions of the academic workplace including academic innovation, work challenge, and professionalism. Institutional mission and goals focusing on undergraduate education…