Stanford University's unique combination of high academic standards and successful, broad-based intercollegiate athletics provides a model for other institutions, and it is working hard to continue to attract smart, talented athletes. (MSE)

Reacting to the competitive market for students, pressure from the corporate world, and national reports critical of outdated graduate programs, some graduate business schools are moving quickly to revise curricula, improve reputations, and find an educational niche. Some observers feel the changes are superficial and hurt basic business skills…

Colleges are appointing senior-level people to handle public relations. Concerns about the public's skepticism include: setbacks in Congress, attacks on moneymaking operations, academic quality, dissatisfaction of employers, cynicism about college sports, anxieties about cost, competition for resources, scandals, etc. (MLW)

Harvard University's founding and development, reputation, famous graduates, presidents, and history of curricular innovation and change are outlined as it celebrates 350 years of existence. (MSE)

A new company is offering selected universities a chance to profit directly from the scholarly materials produced by its faculty, particularly in the areas of corporate training, continuing education, distance learning, and the international-student market. Critics fear that institutions' desire for income may affect faculty priorities.…

The Hazen Foundation screens proposals, scouts projects in all parts of the country and annually funds three dozen programs and organizations. The foundation's overriding and continuing concern has been American youth and the environment and values that guide the development of young people. (MLW)

Wilford S. Bailey of Auburn University is heading the National Collegiate Athletic Association as it struggles to cope with several controversial issues: testing athletes for drug abuse, new academic standards for freshman athletes, the role of college presidents in governing sports, and the integrity of college athletics. (MLW)

While many of the dramatic enrollment increases at Black colleges were at the better-known institutions, the overall enrollment growth appears to be more widespread than in past years. Freshman enrollment has increased more dramatically than overall enrollment. (MSE)

Robert B. Sloan, Jr., president of Baylor University (Texas), has encountered controversy over issues of faith, governance, and his style of leadership. Mr. Sloan wants to heighten both the university's Christian identity and its academic stature. (MSE)

University administrators at George Mason University have aggressively solicited local corporations for donations to help finance faculty salaries in competitive fields such as engineering. They attribute their success to a "symbiotic relationship" with the Northern Virginia business community. (MLW)

The creative writing program at Syracuse University (New York) has been controversial since a 1995 incident in which a faculty member was charged with sexual harassment and drunkenness. A female faculty member has also been accused of inappropriate behavior. Faculty are divided over the issues, and some accuse the university of ignoring problems…

For the first time, the American Bar Association has published a law school guide that includes statistics on the percentage of students passing the bar examination on the first try. For schools with low passage rates, the figures are embarrassing; for those with high rates, the guide is a publicity windfall. (MSE)

When recruiting high-powered scholars, colleges and universities must be able to offer not only good salaries but also such benefits as light teaching loads, new research facilities, jobs for spouses, and other aspects of an attractive lifestyle. Sometimes such job offers are used as leverage for increasing benefits at home institutions. (MSE)

The University of Phoenix, once belittled as providing "McEducation" and branded a diploma mill, has garnered respect among higher education professionals. The school is attracting increasing numbers of adult students for its practical approach and 64 locations in 10 states and Puerto Rico, and is a financial success. The heavy use of…

In early 1997, over 100 University of California, Hayward faculty members signed a statement of concern about the heavy use of part-time faculty as lecturers. Professors fear that increased use of lecturers threatens tenure, hurts quality of education, and reduces departmental continuity. Part-time faculty are generally treated as a different…