In an effort to revitalize Bennington College (Vermont), its president recently fired 26 of 79 faculty members, reduced and reorganized academic departments and divisions, replaced tenure with multi-year contracts, and recruited new faculty. Some claim violation of academic freedom. Enrollment has increased, particularly among first-time students,…

Problems encountered by young minority faculty members at Old Dominion University (Virginia) in the institution's attempt to diversify its faculty are examined, including expectations perceived by new faculty as unreasonable, lack of mentoring or institutional support, and perceptions of racial bias. Difficulties in retaining black faculty members…

Explores how Virginia Tech's aggressive push to hire female and minority professors has led to questions about its fairness and legality. (EV)

Colleges and universities that made minority hiring a priority in the late 1980s are now recruiting fewer black scholars and are seeing more of those already on campus leave. Increased competition for black doctorate recipients is cited. The trend is seen at both major universities and community colleges. (MSE)

As graduate enrollment in English falls, largely due to program reduction, many college and university English departments are recruiting freshman composition instructors from other fields. Although they may be skilled writers, many receive little or no formal training in how to teach writing. Issues concerning the unionization of teaching…