The major benefit of library automation lies in the potential for sharing infrequently used titles among libraries through local, regional, national, and international networks. These offer administrators a powerful tool for maximizing their institutions' research resources and flexibility. (Author/MSE)

Economic demands on postsecondary education are encouraging formation of partnership universities with an external orientation and extensive community alliances. Such universities combine characteristics of five categories of institutions; doctorate-granting research universities, comprehensive universities with graduate programs, liberal arts…

Higher education institutions are well positioned to assume key roles in shaping future economic development. Partnership 21, a University of Oklahoma partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration, exemplifies this potential. The challenge for those in continuing education is to recognize these roles in supporting economic development,…

Nonadversarial approaches to conflict resolution should receive increasing attention from educators facing increased government regulations, stable budgets, and diminished spending power. Mediation, with its emphasis on accommodation and cooperative problem solving, can reinforce the education community's commitment to reasoned discourse and…

Continuing disintegration of portions of research collections printed on unstable paper threatens the national capacity for productive scholarship. Effective solutions will require a heightened awareness of the fragility of the modern book and a coalition of scholars, university administrators, and librarians committed to cooperative action on a…

Collective bargaining is seen as a process of shared authority used in some institutions to manage conflict. Some ways in which parties to bargaining can significantly alter their relationships to promote constructive and creative outcomes of conflict are suggested. (MLW)

Many of the issues concerning assessment in higher education are really issues of values, philosophy, and theory, rather than practical, nuts-and-bolts issues. Excellence as the development of human talent, competition or cooperation, outcomes, and improving assessment practices are discussed. (MLW)

Based on reports of 10 disciplinary task forces concerning improvement of college instruction, it is suggested that faculty respond to suggestions for curricular change in ways that reflect their disciplinary perspectives. It is concluded that faculty from varied disciplines need thoughtful leadership to develop support for any common curricular…

Many operational and some tactical information needs can be well supported with current information technology and campus-based data, but information support for many tactical and most strategic decisions may be aided by interinstitutional collaboration. (Author/MSE)

Networks for minority women provide information, support, and an arena where minority issues can take priority on the agenda. The primary networking needs are empowerment--control over policy that affects one's life--and the opportunity to move an agenda that promotes quality and excellence unhampered by inequity and discrimination. (Author/MLW)

Research universities will have a growing role in regional economic development if they embrace trends affecting economic development in a knowledge society; see their social role as mobilizing and making accessible campus-wide academic resources relevant to knowledge problems; and invest politically and financially in facilitating, brokering, and…

High-profile athletic programs contribute to the collegiate ideal and are used by many institutions to provide connections to their internal and external constituencies. The magnitude of major athletic events contributes to and in some cases defines institutional image, even serving as a surrogate for the more intimate community-building…

Too many institutions, it is suggested, are not maintaining standards of time, content, expectations, cooperation, and ethical behavior. To the extent that colleges and universities fail to set and maintain high standards in each category, the entire educational system suffers. (MLW)

An experienced dean of nursing at a major research university reflects on the leadership requirements of his role and varied relationships with staff, provost, other key administrators, and external constituencies, including donors. Issues discussed include reconciling internal and external roles, creating strategies to achieve institutional…

A strengthened student aid partnership between the federal and state governments and colleges needs to use existing funds more efficiently, regulate how students receive aid more effectively, and delineate the rights and responsibilities of each of the major partners more adequately. Better cooperation would benefit taxpayers, institutions, and…