The educational philosophy at Hampshire College is reviewed along with a report of its current status. Student and faculty independence are emphasized. (LBH)

The leadership of Wireman as president of Eckerd College, first called Florida Presbyterian, during a eight-year period is reviewed. (This is the third in a series of profiles of noteworthy academics.) (LBH)

It is argued, based on the experiences of 16 small, diverse independent colleges, that small institutions can reverse decline. The analysis looks at signs of problems, patterns of institutional blindness to the problems that lead to additional decline, and behavior characteristics of the institutions that survive. (MSE)

Trends emerging from a new enrollment report by the National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities (NIICU) indicate hard times ahead for colleges in the private sector. General economic recession and cuts in federal student financial aid have had an effect on enrollment. (MLW)

A former U.S. Commissioner of Education traces the personal influences that have made him an ardent champion of the small liberal arts college and offers some enterprising suggestions for keeping these colleges successful. (Editor/LBH)

The Atlanta University Center, Inc., a consortium of six institutions (Clark, Morehouse, Morris Brown, Spelman, Atlanta University, and Interdenominational Theological Center) represents the world's largest nucleus of Black private higher education. Its background and the problems faced in dealing with each institution's desire for autonomy are…

The establishment of Kirkland College as the first independent women's college founded in the East since 1926 is reviewed with focus on its merger in 1978 into its parent institution, Hamilton College. Financial problems are cited and extreme differences in campus outlook are discussed. (LBH)

The small private college may be a better vehicle for recruiting a diverse student body into higher education than is commonly recognized. The only true competition in higher education is among a few well-endowed private institutions for the best students. It would be shortsighted to eliminate this sector.

Reed College, a small, liberal arts college with high academic distinction, is described. Faculty participate in virtually all policy decisions and are hired and promoted according to the quality of their teaching. Its finances are improved, but it is still underfinanced and too heavily dependent on tuition income. (MLW)

Alverno College, a Catholic liberal arts college for women with an enrollment of 1,100, instituted competency-based learning in 1973. Subsequent problems as well as benefits are addressed, along with a review of student and faculty attitudes toward the program and the school's president. (LBH)