"Ex Corde Ecclesiae," the Pope's document intended to define the relationship between the Catholic church and Catholic higher education institutions, has renewed debate on what makes a Catholic college Catholic. Over 200 colleges and universities in the United States are examining revised norms to be incorporated into the governance…

In this article, the author discusses self-injury, which is a strategy to manage painful emotions. Generally, it is not about attempting suicide. In addition, it operates in complex ways. One one level, it is a method of communicating feelings when the self-injurer lacks other skills with which to express them. On another level, it helps people…

Many colleges and universities that guarantee financial aid to all Americans, regardless of need, admit they do not do so for applicants from abroad. Policy variations confuse many foreign applicants and frustrate some educators. Some institutions try to direct available aid to foreign students from less-developed countries. Harvard University…

The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case that might guide colleges in resolving conflict between campus policies on sexual harassment and free-speech rights. The case involved San Bernardino College (California) and a tenured professor whose explicit classroom discussions college officials felt constituted sexual harassment. An appeals…

University researchers, campuses, federal agencies, and legislators are debating issues of disclosure of researcher interests in profits from research results, in order to avoid situations in which profitability may threaten the quality and conduct of scientific and medical research. Proposed National Institutes of Health guidelines are highly…

In the wake of the University of California's decision not to continue an affirmative action policy in admissions and hiring, the University system claims it will continue to encourage diversity without "using race, ethnicity, or gender" and is investigating ways to accomplish this. Other institutions are looking at how the policy change…

On college campuses nationwide, faculty, alumni, parents, students, and others argue that parking is too expensive, inadequate, inconvenient, or allocated unfairly. Policies may be strict, and abuse of regulations is common. (MSE)

Various theories are circulated concerning Stanford University's (California) controversy over use of federal research funds. Issues involved include billing the government for inappropriate charges, the rapid growth of problems, public relations failures, and poor administration. The president's role in addressing the crisis is a central concern.…

Colleges and universities are finding it difficult to mold administrative policy concerning freedom of speech on campus. Even when speech or harassment codes mirror federal guidelines for antidiscrimination policy, controversy is common. Potential infringement on rights to free speech is the central issue. (MSE)

A federal district court has ruled that Brown University (RI) discriminates against its women's athletics programs, in violation of federal law. The university's stance on the law, which questions government interpretation, has been controversial. The suit was brought by nine female athletes seeking reinstatement of gymnastics and volleyball…

A California superior court struck down a Stanford University antiharassment policy, saying that it restricted students' free-speech rights. The policy had banned face-to-face insults that stigmatize students on the basis of such things as race, sex, or religion. California law requires private colleges to grant students the same constitutional…

A federal judge has ordered the University of New Hampshire to end a professor's suspension, after ruling that his classroom comments did not amount to sexual harassment. The university had claimed the teacher violated institutional sexual-harassment policy by creating a classroom environment hostile to women. (MSE)

College and university personnel directors are encouraged (1) to develop policies concerning acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) as it relates to job applicants, personnel records, and services, (2) to counter unfounded fears among co-workers, and (3) to develop and coordinate educational programs within the institution. (MSE)

Prompted in part by a recent Supreme Court decision, colleges and universities are reexamining their policies on sexual harrassment and are facing difficult ethical and civil liberties questions. Their goal is to eliminate harrassing behavior without jeopardizing academic freedom or employees' due-process rights. (MSE)

The University of Wisconsin, in the third year of a high-profile drive to increase minority enrollments, is having difficulty reaching its goals despite realistic goals and appropriate efforts. Competition for a limited minority population among the state's private and public colleges and universities is intense, and racial tension persists. (MSE)