Search committee members can help improve the likelihood that senior vacancies will be filled on time, within budget, and without unpleasant surprises. Methods include creating a job description, position criteria, and an institution profile; setting a timetable; using consultants; clarifying needs for candidate information; maintaining…

Guidelines that include policies, goals, and procedures for the governance of small colleges are presented. The following guidelines suggest how different elements of an institution's governance system might be expected to operate: (1) as a corporate body, a board of trustee has at least four responsibilities; (2) individual members of a board…

Adopting management by objectives is a way to improve the operation of small college development offices and increase the tenure of the development officer. The MBO concept is discussed as a means of setting goals, determining ways to accomplish goals, and measuring success. A development office statement of objectives is included. (MLW)

The chairman of the board of regents of a small, church-affiliated college discusses the need for and satisfaction derived from introducing potential donors to the college and the best of its campus life, particularly when the college is small, little known, and/or has a religious affiliation unfamiliar to prospective gift givers. (MSE)

The final chapter of a study of the failure of four small private colleges implicates their trustees. Trustees were found to have had inadequate participation in planning and operational realities, the consequence in part, of a lack of critical information. (LBH)

Patience and teamwork in long-range planning are seen as having helped ensure prosperity at Williams College. The mechanics involved reaching what is described as a modified consensus. Two major changes included the end of fraternities at the college and the decision to coeducate. (MLW)

A trustee orientation or colloquium program designed to enable representatives of various college governing and administrative bodies to meet together and share ideas is described. The proposed model was used at Emmanuel College in Boston. The college is governed by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Corporation, which owns the college. The…

Hallmarks of the successful church-related college include: a clear identity and distinct educational goals, loyal and vocal alumni, powerful religious commitments, an active and involved board of trustees, first-rate administration, a "good story," and intense denominational support in dollars. (MLW)

Some misconceptions about the Wilson College Case are discussed, including: the case did not become precedent in law because the degree was superceded by a consent decree; the judge was not a villain; the college was not bankrupt; and the old board did not act wisely. (Author/MLW)

Trustees, it is suggested, should keep an eye out for burgeoning short-term debt, over-optimistic income estimates, hidden enrollment problems, student attrition, and loss of special revenue sources. The absolute size of a college is seen as a factor in making the decision to close. (MLW)

The aftermath of a Pennsylvania judge's overturning the trustees of Wilson College's decision to close is described. A new board and new president found themselves confronted with a public relations handicap--Judge Keller's decision was almost universally perceived as governmental intrusion. (MLW)

Trustees at three small, independent colleges were interviewed to determine how trustees could contribute to a college's revitalization. Based on these interviews, several ways in which trustees can help individually and collectively with a college's revitalization were identified. The three colleges were located in different states and regions…

Decision-making responsibility in small private liberal arts colleges as perceived by faculty, presidents, and trustees is examined in light of the growing pressures of the 1980's on the institutions. Problem areas identified through a literature survey were the acquisition and allocation of financial resources, student recruitment and retention,…

Five college and university trustees and administrators explain how their institutions are approaching tuition containment. Issues the institutions have addressed in this context include need-blind admissions policy, using the Consumer Price Index as a budgeting criterion, enrollment changes, relationships with service vendors, personnel policy,…

This book about the problems facing the president of a college or university is intended mainly for administrative personnel but may be of interest to college trustees, faculty members, and individuals interested in higher education. It is claimed that it is impossible economically to sustain the many non-educative activities that are borne by…