Recalling a program session at the 1981 annual meeting of the Speech Communication Association entitled "The Small College Speech Communication Instructor: Jacks and Jills of All Trades," this paper "revisits" that session by reviewing the comments and observations made then and offering reflections on the changes that have been observed in the…

Describes changes in philosophy, departmental objectives, departmental title, curriculum, and faculty made by the chair of a speech communications and theater department in a small liberal arts college. (SR)

Small and medium-sized institutions are seen as likely to experience major organizational change during the next few years in three areas: contracting out, academic franchising, and reacting to declining instruction. Colleges need to explore interinstitutional cooperation, new educational media, structural innovation, productivity improvement, and…

Examines the arguments regarding convergence between community colleges and proprietary institutions put forth by the other authors in the current volume. Concludes that the convergence between institutions is more apparent than real, but that if external pressures continue or increase, it may become reality. (MAB)

Recent emphasis placed on the cost effectiveness of larger colleges and larger classes is criticized from the point of view that student involvement is more valuable but is difficult to achieve under such circumstances. (MSE)

Describes changes in career and community college curricula, focusing on the general education function, structure, developmental education components, technical specialization, and connections between basic education and technology. Suggests that educational partnerships and curriculum changes are agents of societal renewal. (23 citations) (MAB)

Options available to small universities in Australia in order to maximize their efficiency in lean times are discussed: staying small with better funding; staying small with standard funding; federation with another institution or institutions but with internal differentiation; merger; and closing. (MSE)

Argues that the apparent convergence of community colleges and proprietary schools is in large part caused by changes in federal student aid policy. Suggests that the apparent convergence masks real and profound differences between these institutions in the areas of mission, governance, size, articulation with other sectors, costs, and market…

It is argued that while the restructuring of higher education may be necessary for the liberal arts college to thrive, it is imperative that in this process, the traditional values of the liberal arts experience be maintained and the teaching faculty continue to be recognized as the crucial cohort in the institution. (MSE)

Emphasizes that private liberal arts colleges must compensate for declining enrollments by admitting students who are underprepared for college-level work, and discusses financial and attitudinal barriers to doing so. Reviews the problems encountered by Skidmore College and its responses, including its basic writing curriculum, writing lab, and…

A project to help small independent liberal arts colleges integrate technology and the liberal arts in the undergraduate curriculum is considered in this newsletter issue. The first two stages of this project on Technology and the Liberal Arts, which is sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges, are described, along with the progress of…

Teacher preparation programs in California are governed by standards established by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). In September 1998, pursuant to Senate Bill 2042 (SB2042), California's recent comprehensive teacher credentialing legislation, the Commission launched an extensive effort on standards and assessment…

This monograph by the members of the American Association of Community Colleges' Commission on Small and/or Rural Community Colleges shares small and rural community college experiences. In "Leaders through Community Service," Jacqueline D. Taylor provides a model for how small and rural community colleges can be involved in building leaders…

The need to integrate technology and liberal arts in the undergraduate curriculum is addressed in this collection of two articles and a bibliography. The monograph resulted from a project by the Council of Independent Colleges on the response of the liberal arts college to technology. In "Technology and the Liberal Arts," Allan Pfnister considers…

Lessons learned by five small, private colleges about meeting the challenges facing higher education are described. Each of the colleges developed a unique educational program emphasizing the liberal arts that responds to current challenges. Each school has experienced increased enrollments and retention, growth in endowments and plants, larger…