Ronald Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) program has inspired heated debate on campuses, and many scientists have pledged not to accept federal money for SDI research, for a variety of political, economic, and scientific reasons. (MSE)

Describes what is involved in the Congressional policy-making process, and describes the Capitol Hill community. Discusses the human element that is inherent in understanding and representing constituencies and in attempting to translate the constituents' concerns into policy. Considers what role psychologists might play in this policy-making…

Rep. Pat Williams, the new chairman of the House Postsecondary Education Subcommittee, visits college campuses and observes what the problems are. A recent visit to Pennsylvania State is described in which he listened to students in the financial aid office, inspected research facilities, and talked with university administrators. (MLW)

The Education Commission of the States' annual meeting was characterized by divergent opinions on almost any issue, but there appeared to be less consensus and more impatience on issues relating to higher education than on those concerning public schools. (MSE)

Changes being made in public college governance are increasingly motivated by state governments' desire to have state boards exercise more policy leadership on some difficult higher education issues, including setting up productive university-industry economic development ventures, minority student recruiting, and improving teacher education. (MSE)

A new survey by the Virginia Council of Higher Education found that five states have imposed a ceiling on the number of out-of-state students who can attend their public institutions. Many people fear that their own state students are being denied admission because of nonresident applicants. (MLW)

Describes the organizational structure of the research unit of the Parliamentary Library of Canada and lists a variety of services offered to Parliamentary members, committees, associations, and delegations. (CLB)

Some of the issues and trends that have concerned higher education officials and lawmakers in state legislatures are discussed, including prepaid tuition plans, taxes, financial aid for students, pressure from business leaders, governors' clout, quality, college closings, etc. (MLW)

The eight years of Ronald Reagan's presidency have included tremendous economic, social, and political change. Views on those changes in higher education vary. Six stories tell how colleges and Washington's lobbyists and lawmakers have changed in that period. (MLW)

In an effort to foster better understanding of the crucial role of the courts in protecting all persons from legislative and executive overreaching, this report examines and evaluates the Helms-Johnston Amendment, one of many efforts Congress is making to limit the authority of federal courts in cases involving the controversial issues of…

Rural education trends and issues confronting state legislatures are examined in this handbook of narrative as well as statistical tables. Designed to provide state legislators with information they need to better understand rural implications of statewide education reforms, the handbook presents a range of legislative alternatives in key areas.…