This paper takes as its starting point the idea of universities contracting with students, and of the increased consumer protections for students that such contracts afford. It begins by considering what is at stake in creating a legally binding contract. Using examples from contract law, it then argues that it is difficult to think of a…

This paper empirically investigates the costs that arise from uncertainty in the college-town housing market in the Urbana-Champaign metropolitan area, the home of the University of Illinois. This research resulted in two principal findings. First, the rental price of housing owned by property owners having more than 10 claims filed against them…

Discusses the philosophical basis of the Unit Agreement program, provides a description of the Unit Agreement process and how it was developed, and presents the results of a campuswide study of the program's effect on the residence hall environment. (ABB)

These four newsletters contain articles and columns on legal issues of interest to private colleges and universities (particularly those related to the United Methodist Church). Feature articles include: (1) "Administrators and Authority: Who Obligates the College?" which focuses on the conditions under which conflicts over alleged…

Guidelines for establishing and implementing residence hall unit agreements with college students are presented, based on the experience of the University of Maryland, College Park. These agreements or social contracts are drawn up by a floor/unit of residents and are put in writing to define for that unit the acceptable range of behavior in a…