The presidents' commission of the National Collegiate Athletic Association proposed fewer and smaller changes than expected in rules for intercollegiate athletics, especially in the revenue-producing sports in the highest division, but the panel plans a series of studies of the more difficult problems facing college sports. (MSE)

The growing restiveness and political force of the Mexican-American population is strengthening state institutions in South Texas, whose enrollments are predominantly Mexican-American and who are fighting discrimination in the state legislature. (MSE)

Programs allowing parents to prepay tuition at selected colleges and universities are gaining popularity among institutions but are found to be potentially damaging to the institutions' finances and reputations and to relationships among institutions. (MSE)

Temple University's model drug education and abuse prevention program for students and staff includes education and counseling throughout the year as well as random drug testing. The program is costly but successful, and has the support of athletes, administration, and the coaching staff. (MSE)

Internet II, a higher-speed information network under development, is supported by almost 100 colleges and universities. It would let researchers develop advanced tools, but would be costly for institutions. A similar but more limited project, the Very High Speed Backbone Network Service (VBNS), has also garnered college support. Technical,…

An interdisciplinary science program Boston University has begun with the Chelsea public schools is the first part of a 10-year plan by the university to take over management of the city's schools and reform them, the first time a private university has administered a public school system. (MSE)

The passage of the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988 was seen by advocates of women's sports as a powerful tool to redress sex imbalances in college sports programs, but few sex discrimination complaints have been filed as a result. The reasons are disputed and not fully understood. (MSE)

Many colleges and universities are making their Internet computer links available to elementary and secondary schools, often free of charge. However, the assistance is still limited, and more teacher training, technical assistance, and appropriate equipment are needed. Examples in Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Illinois are offered. (MSE)

The Research Libraries Group is expanding its mission to include alliances with the archival community, the museum community, independent research libraries, and learned societies. Areas of emphasis include collections and information delivery, protecting materials, and assisting in development of computer systems. (DB)

Pennsylvania's 10-year-old system of 14 state-owned universities has focused on increasing the stature and character of individual institutions, limited centralization, and fostered cohesion and cooperation rather than competition, particularly in difficult economic conditions. (MSE)

After many years of competition to represent teachers, the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers are finding common concerns and increasing numbers of cooperative ventures. Some local unions have merged; a general merger, in the interest of improving education, is being considered. (MSE)

the National Advisory Committee on Accreditation and Institutional Eligibility is criticized by various groups for doing and saying too much or too little. Current controversial issues on its agenda include loan defaults, shoddy trade schools, and treatment of minority students and faculty. The committee's role in some areas is also unclear. (MSE)

A national survey indicates nearly 18 percent of all athletes admitted to big-time college and university sports programs in 1989 were given special admissions treatment. There is widespread disagreement about policies and standards for admitting athletes. Issues include appropriate college preparation, selective admission in the disciplines, and…

The Justice Department's antitrust investigation of private-college collaboration on student financial aid (the Overlap Group) has closed, with charges against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology dropped and announcement of a new system by which institutions may share information. Institutions are skeptical about the practicality of the new…

Many historically black colleges and universities have developed several projects to improve technology on campus and promote its use. Some see it as a key to institutional survival. Projects emphasize training students and faculty in computer use, making joint purchases, sharing on-line instructional experiences, and seeking grants to install…