Average tenure of college presidents is seven years, a new study finds. From 1984-85 to 1991-92, about 14 percent of presidents left their job annually. The rate was similar at public and private colleges but varied in each sector for two- and four-year colleges. Findings refute assumptions about high turnover. (MSE)

Data are presented in chart, graph, and tabular form on sources of private gifts to colleges and universities; top 25 institutions in fund raising (totals and amount per student); average gifts per student at 4-year institutions for 1971-72 to 1990-91; and total and average gifts by institution type and sector. (MSE)

Although private college tuition will rise less quickly than public college tuition this fall, costs will still outrun inflation. State budget cuts account for some of the increases. Colleges understand public concern over increases, and private colleges are trying particularly hard to keep costs down. (MSE)

Although over 56 percent of freshman athletes graduated within 5 years (compared to 48 percent of all students), basketball players had a graduation rate of only 39 percent and football players 47 percent. Tables detail findings at Division I colleges and compare public and private colleges. (DB)

A "Chronicle" survey of the pay and benefits offered to research and teaching assistants revealed a widening gap between public and private institutions. (Includes a table of stipends for graduate assistants at top research universities, and profiles of several graduate students' financial situations.) (EV)

The US state lawmakers are concerned with the budgets and management of public colleges, though with a little push from "helicopter parents" who hover over their college-age children and challenge administrative decisions, legislators are increasingly intervening in a range of student-life issues. Frequently, legislators who are parents…

This article discusses how federal and state governments can improve student access to private and public higher education institutions. Florida helps to achieve that with a common course-numbering system across community and four-year colleges, which permits students to easily transfer credits. Both the Senate and the House of Delegates in…

The responses to 46 state commissioners of higher education, or the equivalent officers, on questions concerning tuition policies are tabulated, including reasons used to justify tuition increases and holds, areas of greatest concern for cost and productivity, and the most likely areas for improving higher education productivity. (MSE)

In the wake of serious problems in the athletics program, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's faculty council is investigating the role of intercollegiate athletics on campus, examining athletics department finances and procedures and its relationships with outside support groups. (MSE)

Minnesota's large-scale restructuring of public higher education in July 1995 created a 45-institution system that has recently experienced further consolidation of 18 community and technical colleges into ten. Other changes include decentralization, downsizing, and changes in support services. Proposal of another merger has created concern that…

In a major victory for civil rights groups, a federal appeals court has revived the lawsuit that forced the Education Department to monitor the desegregation of public colleges in 18 southern and border states, claiming the groups bringing the suit still had the legal standing to pursue it. (MSE)

The Supreme Court will not hear an appeal by a software publisher suing the University of California at Los Angeles for copying its computer programs, upholding state rights in copyright law. However, federal legislation paving the way for such suits in the future is being drafted. (MSE)

A federal appeals court decision suggests that public colleges may not be covered by the Constitution's 11th amendment prohibiting state governments from being sued in federal court. By the ruling, the institution loses immunity by having funds other than state appropriations with which to pay damages in the lawsuits. (MSE)

Among findings of the annual College Board survey for 1990-91 is that four-year public college students are paying an average tuition of $1,809, up 7 percent; and private college students are paying $9,391, up 8 percent. A table lists, by state, the tuition and fees charged undergraduates at more than 3000 colleges and universities in both 1989-90…

Many state legislatures are authorizing the largest bond issues for campus facilities in years, in part for deferred maintenance and repairs. The robust national economy appears to be the main force driving the spending trend. Ironically, some of the states best positioned to give colleges large construction windfalls are those limited…