The most fundamental issue in U.S. higher education is that of reconciling tradition and change, especially in the areas of patterns of college attendance, the academic profession, the corporate research relationship, advancing technology, and the drive for accountability. (MSE)

An East German university faculty member's study of the relationship between teacher and student suggests that the most effective relationship is a collaborative one, especially in the context of research projects, and that continuous evaluation of specific achievements and student development both provides motivation and stimulates learning. (MSE)

Two types of small-group instruction in which student teams work on specific projects are compared. Issues raised include the learning level achieved, teacher and student role changes, the influence of institutional culture on the work, assessment of cognitive skills being developed, and research needs. (MSE)

The Defense Intelligence College is an accredited graduate institution for professional training of the military and civilian intelligence community and it is working hard to expand its ties with the traditional academic community. (MSE)

A wide variety of individual and contextual factors, within and outside institutional control, can affect faculty research performance. These collective factors, the research culture, include policies and practices affecting recruitment, workload, evaluation, collegial communication, leadership, and structure. (MSE)

Educational and psychological functions of the supervisor of undergraduate dissertations are identified. Special problems of supervisors are discussed together with the difficulties commonly experienced by students. Ways problems may be minimized and the desirability of supervisors acting within an agreed set of departmental aims, objectives, and…

The relationship between some facets of organizational climate (perceived power structure, assessment of rewards, and perceived organizational goals) in university departments and faculty attitudes toward various aspects of unionization is examined. Policy implications for faculty and administration are discussed. (Author/LBH)

A review of the literature on university faculty research productivity found a consistent set of 12 characteristics common in research-conducive environments. Findings included (1) the leader has a disproportionate impact through his influence on all the other characteristics, and (2) participative governance is important in promotion of research…

Presents study of industrial involvement in biotechnology research, comparing faculty surveys from land-grant colleges of agriculture and nonagricultural research universities. Agricultural biotechnologists report higher industrial involvement and more optimism about it. Industrial funding levels shown as significant factor in activities and…

An assistant professor and an undergraduate student--the authors--set out in August 2003 on a path that was new for both: a collaborative research project in digital history. Together, they planned and researched the content for an online teaching module as part of "The Digital History Reader," a project funded by the National Endowment for the…

Fact sheets on 15 historically black community and junior colleges are presented. Information included on the individual fact sheets is summarized on a matrix that covers the institution's geographic orientation, type/size, educational orientation, learning resources, other facilities, training/workshop experience, collaborative arrangements, and…

Problems and issues concerning recruitment and professional development of academic staff at higher education institutions in China are identified, and successful faculty development programs are described. Problems include: low qualifications of a significant proportion of the staff; low percentage of senior faculty; abnormal age distribution of…

A program that sponsored eight visiting U.S. professors to teach science and conduct applied research in two Nicaraguan universities was evaluated. The program, which was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, was conducted at the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in Managua and the Leon campus of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de…

Sources of research funds for undergraduate faculty and ways to secure the funds are discussed. Information on three federal grant programs is provided, along with advice for obtaining funds from foundations and corporations, including techniques for gathering information on prospective funding sources. Suggestions on the process of preparing…

The current knowledge about what distinguishes productive and vital faculty members from their less dynamic peers is considered, along with additional information needs. Most empirical evidence on faculty productivity concerns only research and publication. Information is inadequate about other forms of faculty achievement and vitality, including…