The need to focus upon the organizational factors and consequences of a technological innovation is discussed and the outcome of the pilot implementation of the Academic Unit Planning Manual (AUPM) are reported. The primary intent of the AUPM, a tool developed at the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), is to assist…

The role and responsibilities of department heads, and the effects of changing conditions in higher education, are considered, and reference is made to the nursing education department. The department represents an organizational unit as well as an intellectual discipline, and the department head is expected to serve in four roles: leader,…

The findings are presented of two research studies designed to identify the causes of perceived inefficient and ineffective performance by administrators in institutions of higher education. The first study examined operational dissonance among the three levels of academic administrators (chairpersons, deans, and provosts) in complex…

The chairman of the College Senate along with representatives from the administrative staff, the local council, and the student body developed this evaluation instrument to sample the attitudes, opinions and beliefs of the faculty, staff, and student body regarding the performance of the college's president. The evaluation criteria included: (1)…

A discussion of the college presidency's future looks at such factors as the internal and external institutional environment, university-industry relationships, quality and standards, liberal arts and general education, and special leadership needs. (MSE)

This study examines the role of community college presidents as the two-year institution faces changing and expanding issues and challenges. The author argues that the community college president must be adept at assembling a leadership team if he/she is going to be an effective administrator. The study utilized a cross-sectional design and…

Presents findings from a study assessing the reactions of 34 community colleges to California Assembly Bill 1725 passed in 1988, which mandated shared governance for the state's 107 community colleges. Concludes that AB 1725 is working as it was intended in the majority of schools. Contains 69 references. (JDI)

Changes in staffing patterns of Finnish universities are examined, particularly the increase in administrative staff in relation to academic staff. Explanations are offered for the decrease in maintenance, service, and auxiliary research and teaching personnel. New skills that are required in these areas and relations between administrative and…

One individual's experience as dean, provost, and president at different universities suggests that a dean's success depends on choosing appropriate key goals for the school, then persisting until they are accomplished. Other important elements include a regular, formal review process, explicit agreements about returning to full-time teaching,…

A study of deans' characteristics looks at demographic variables, career paths and aspirations, hours spent in various activities, difficulties in making decisions and working with groups and individuals, perceived satisfaction with their positions, and how they rate the importance of their many roles and functions. (Author/MSE)

Mount Ida College (Massachusetts) has found the use of college administrators as mentors to students, complementing academic advising and faculty mentoring, to be an effective approach to strengthening the tie between first-year college students and their institutions. The impact has been noticeable in the campus culture as well as in student…

Although different in nature from academic activities, college fund raising also requires planning and management. To develop more responsive executive information systems, development officers must take the lead, ask the right questions, and work closely with campus institutional researchers, registrars, enrollment managers, and computer…

College faculty, administrators, and trustees must abandon the posture of blame and advance to shared responsibility. But they must confront two uncomfortable truths: some academics may not be able to sever self-interest in order to develop a new strategic vision, and trustees and public officials may be unwilling to examine expensive programs…

Strategic planning in higher education is seen in this book as an essential element in the life of a successful college or university. This book begins by defining strategic planning and explains how to identify the core problems a college or university wants to address and solve through the planning process. It continues with advice on how to…

This book outlines qualities of higher education institutional leadership and discusses how college administrators may bring about effective leadership based on honor, dignity, curiosity, candor, compassion, courage, excellence, and service. The chapters each describe and discuss one of the leadership ideals. Their titles are: "The Call of…