The effects of the academic environment, which is defined as the organization of curricula, teaching, and assessment on student learning, are examined. Focus is on students' perceptions of their courses and teachers in six departments at a British university, and the different demands that various environments make. (Author/JMD)

The role and functions of university department heads as analyzed in the literature are outlined and compared with the perceptions and expectations of the staff of eight departments in one Australian university, who attached great importance to the administrator's function of encouragement. (MSE)

A small departmental survey revealed significant differences in perception among faculty and students of the chairperson's role as departmental executive officer. Although styles of leadership vary, the chairperson's role in higher education requires further investigation and clarification. (MSE)

A study of the comparability of standards used for awarding first degrees with distinction in Israeli universities found considerable diversity among universities, faculties, and major subject departments of the social sciences. (Author/MSE)

An estimate of departmental cost functions in seven departments at 31 private liberal arts colleges is given. Estimates indicate that departmental costs are relatively inelastic, indicating that financial problems will be compounded in an era of enrollment decline. (Author/MSE)

A study of patterns of perceived management functions in schools of social sciences, physical sciences, and medicine showed deans perceived as paying more attention to outside than inside activities. Correlations of faculty perceptions with faculty career characteristics (publishing, seniority, rank, tenure, and job satisfaction) are also…

A survey of 1,321 administrators, 927 trustees, and 1,158 department heads in 332 4-year colleges and universities examined the independent and conditional effects of organizational culture type and level of consensus about mission on the institutions' organizational effectiveness. Implications of results for enhancing effectiveness are discussed.…

Nigerian university seniors in a variety of disciplines rated the quality of the institution's education degree program. The most popular education courses are reported, along with differences among arts and science, social science, and physical/health education student ratings. (MSE)

This study surveyed 46 college deans at 7 universities in Saudi Arabia to determine who evaluated the work of department chairpersons and what criteria are and should be used for such evaluations. The deans identified and rank-ordered 4 sources and 17 criteria for department chairperson evaluations. (MDM)

The foreign composition of faculties in schools and departments of education in 10 Australian colleges and universities is examined in terms of the proportions, qualifications, nationalities, and influences of these faculty members on the institutions. (MSE)

A survey of 1,579 faculty members in 201 academic departments at Norway's 4 universities found no significant relationship between department size and research productivity, as measured by scientific publishing. Faculty in smaller departments were more content with their research environment than their colleagues in larger departments. However,…

A survey of 90 department heads in six Israeli universities concerning their role perceptions, role fulfillment, and satisfaction with role fulfillment found five main role factors and significant differences between fulfillment of roles and the desire to fulfill them. (MSE)

A study of research productivity among 890 Australian faculty members in 18 universities during 1985-89 found the overall average to be low but with a wide range of variation. Additional variables examined include level of research activity, subject area, institution type, gender, age, early research interest, and satisfaction with the promotion…

Three faculty workload planning methods in United Kingdom universities are compared, focusing on workload planning principles, computerized decision support, institutional contexts, political dimensions, and management of change. One is based on contact hours; the second on actual hours; and the third on translating supervision, teaching,…