Describes restructuring of an academic department at Radford University; uses a dialogue between the department chair and the vice president of academic affairs to present the process's contrasting perspectives. Explores how faculty and administrators can treat budgetary challenges as opportunities to renew institutional missions, collaborate in…

In this article, the author shares his experience being the "chair" of the Department of Latin American and Puerto Rican Studies at Lehman College of the City University of New York. He also shares how this department proved to be an "ordinary" department at an "ordinary" liberal arts college. However, to conclude…

It is proposed that the primary method for college budget reduction should be horizontal, across-the-board cuts by percentage applied to all programs and departments. It is argued further that vertical budget cuts embody imperfect procedural justice and should be considered only in extreme situations. (MSE)

The academic department is viewed as a form of cartel, a model of monopolistic behavior characterized by control over a particular differentiated product. The development and operation of this academic cartel is explored. (MSE)

Good departmental practices can help women and minority faculty thrive and make the greatest possible contribution to the academic enterprise. Several recent books have explored what is wrong with the current way of doing business. In this article, the author outlines steps to bring U.S. minority and European American women faculty--at both the…

Survey data on faculty in preclinical departments of medical schools include the number of faculty, average salary, and average compensation of faculty at each rank in 68 institutions. (MSE)

The applicability of the principle of comparable pay for comparable worth is discussed for college faculty jobs, not only for alleviation of sex discrimination but also for eliminating bias-related discrepancies between departments or specialties. (MSE)

The National Institute of Education report, "Involvement in Learning: Realizing the Potential of American Higher Education," is discussed. The study group highlighted the outcomes of an undergraduate education--student learning and the implications of student learning--and concluded the appropriate source of curriculum reform is the…

The average salaries for full professors and new assistant professors in 21 disciplines for 1976-77 and 1984-85 are ranked and the percentage increases in the intervening period are listed and analyzed. (MSE)

Areas of change and nonchange in college faculty employment since the 1950s are examined, particularly as they affect faculty mobility. External factors (prestige, labor market, public opinion) and internal factors (the department structure, institutional policy, and changes within disciplines) are discussed. (MSE)

A growing bulge in the age distribution of California State University faculty and its potential effects on the status and distribution of full-time, part-time, tenured, and probationary appointments in the institution are examined. (MSE)

Between years 1990-91 and 1991-92 the average college faculty salary rose 3.5 percent, the smallest nominal increase in over 20 years. Data for academic field, institution type, and faculty rank are presented along with an appendix presenting data from the 1991-92 American Association of University Professors' national salary survey. (MSE)