The role of libraries in the search for quality education was addressed in the Carnegie Foundation's report, "College," and at the first higher education conference on academic libraries. Information literacy and policy, campus organizational issues, and programs in economic development support, active learning, and faculty development…

Joseph Perkins argued in the "Wall Street Journal" that one-third of the 100 traditionally Black colleges should become two-year institutions. This rebuttal suggests that Black institutions' survival involves planning for new and broader missions in an unsheltered, integrated, competitive environment. (MLW)

Four new books typify the constructive search for ways to improve the quality of undergraduate education. "Achieving Educational Excellence" (Alexander Astin), "Careerism and Intellectualism" (Herant A. Katchadorian et al.), "Increasing Student Retention" (Lee Noel et al.), and "Success in College" (Warren Willingham) are analyzed. (MLW)

A key to the movement toward open access to higher education has been the growth of public community colleges, which are reexamining their priorities, resources, and missions. The need for "people's colleges" to reconcile their concern for quality with their commitment to open access is discussed. (MLW)

The purposes and methods behind Gourman's rankings of American colleges and universities, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, are outlined and discussed, and the controversy surrounding his publications, which have had a significant impact in education, is examined. (MSE)

In an interview with Ernest Boyer, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, some of his concerns and observations about the high school-college connection are described. The education and reeducation of teachers, curriculum, and flexibility of college admission are discussed. (MLW)

Three problems for universities are identified: the implications of technological change, the quality and credibility of undergraduate education, and society's increasing reluctance to fund research. Since a small number of major research universities constitute the resource base for most basic research, they need to be identified as national…

The use of part-time, adjunct faculty by many colleges as a money-saving device is reviewed. Implications for both personnel and institutions are illustrated by example and by National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) statistics. (JMF)

Discusses how the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) has funded projects successfully influencing the way undergraduate science and mathematics are taught around the nation. (EV)

The Higher Education Research Program, 19 educational practitioners invited by The Pew Charitable Trusts to help take stock of higher education's strengths and weaknesses, its challenges and opportunities, is discussed. Three principal issues facing higher education include costs, the quality of teaching and learning, and making higher education…

The phenomenal growth of distance-learning programs and the possibility of a virtual university have increased concerns about how to ensure that higher education programs delivered via telecommunications are of good quality. The Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications has formulated guidelines, presented here, for…

The initial implementation of the Total Quality Management approach by 10 Boston-area (Massachusetts) institutions is summarized. The institutions include Babson College, Bentley College, Boston College, Boston University, Lesley College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, University of Massachusetts at Boston, Wentworth…

If college faculty were encouraged by leadership to share their teaching experiences and insights, good teaching could flourish. Useful conversation topics include critical moments in teaching and learning; the human condition of teachers and learners; metaphors and images of the teaching process; and autobiographical reflection on great teachers.…

The image of business colleges held by many liberal arts faculty members is challenged by a former teacher in a business school. Issues discussed include academic standards, teaching quality, student recruitment, student financial aid, and support services. (LBH)

Higher education's principal reason for being is seen as that of developing student talents. This premise suggests that a high-quality institution is one that maximizes the intellectual and personal development of its students. Student involvement is seen as the cornerstone of academic excellence. (MLW)