Data from a content analysis of 59 professional codes and a national survey of 239 colleges indicate that with the exception of sexual harassment policies, professions and institutions offer few formal policies or guidelines related to faculty-student relationships. Some are addressing the issue with conflict of interest guidelines. Discusses the…

This article discusses the strategy that the University of Maryland pursued in defending the constitutionality of its race-based Benjamin Banneker Scholarship program for black students. It also analyzes the respective decisions of the district court and court of appeals, which recently declared the scholarships unconstitutional. (MDM)

A feminist educator discusses contradictions, inconsistencies, and inadequacies in college policies concerning sexual harassment. It is argued that the fundamental question is whether women students are taken seriously, not whether sexuality enters into the relationship between students and teachers. (MSE)

A scenario-based survey of 598 university students concerning test cheating found significant gender differences on measures of self-control, shame, perceived external sanctions, grades, and cheating intentions. Morals and grades were greater predictors in women's cheating intentions, while men were more affected by prior cheating and perceived…

Origins and persistent reasons for college sorority and fraternity hazing, particularly in black organizations, are examined, including desire for domination, links to childhood abuse, and homoeroticism. The influences of tradition, peer pressure, the need to belong, and desire for solidarity are also considered. Reviews recent research on the…

Academic officers at U.S. colleges and universities face a number of important decisions regarding how credits and grades earned overseas as part of a study abroad program should be incorporated into students' home academic records. The purpose of this article is to take a closer look at the way grades are handled at home institutions and the way…

This study examined how effective the State University of New York (SUNY) practices are for verifying in-state residency in determining tuition charges. The study proceeded by comparing SUNY's policies for determining in-state residency with those of similar institutions through review of applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;…

Many universities and colleges are moving from traditional on-campus teaching to also teaching online courses to distant students. Institutions face many challenges in supporting their distant students and need a holistic view of the support that distant students require. This paper proposes ways that institutions could meet these needs of online…

The Institutional Self Study Form for Postsecondary Institutions (ISSF) has been developed to help accreditation agencies provide consumer protection to college and university students. It is designed to detect and quantitatively scale the potential for abuse in institutions, and can be completed by anyone who is knowledgeable about the consumer…

A 1953 article outlining procedures used at Harvard University (MA) for analyzing a student's need for financial aid is reprinted here because it is felt to reflect the basic principles of sound student financial aid policy. (MSE)

A survey of the 20 largest public universities in the United States revealed that only half of the institutions had policies that addressed hostile or harassing speech or conduct. It also found that 8 of these 10 university regulations may violate constitutional principles regarding the regulation of student speech. (Author/MDM)

Surveyed student affairs officers (n=175) from four-year colleges and community colleges to determine extent to which institutions have developed programs to ensure academic integrity. Results indicated almost all institutions possessed printed codes of academic integrity and procedural guidelines. Four-year colleges were significantly more likely…

The Recording Industry Association of America is aggressively pursuing copyright violations on campuses concerning MP3 music recordings being exchanged on computer networks. Carnegie Mellon University (Pennsylvania), to avoid litigation, has been searching public folders of students' computers to find illegally copied MP3s. Controversy over…

Describes policies and procedures for using mediation as one alternative for adjudicating sexual assault cases, and examines factors to consider for implementation. Mediation gives survivors an opportunity to confront accused in a safe environment and to regain a feeling of control in life. Provides recommendations based on experiences at the…

This paper focuses on four functions common to colleges and universities that can be a source of liability when plaintiffs seek to impose on the school duties of care relating to alcohol or drug abuse: the college's limited role (1) as supervisor of student conduct; (2) as property owner; (3) as seller of alcohol; and (4) as "social…