Numerous studies focused on the linkages between the Bologna Process and system--as well as organizational-level changes--implying significance of the process for higher education policy dynamics. However, what has been lacking is a closer examination of the political importance of Bologna for the different actors involved and whether this varies…

State support of public higher education has rapidly declined relative to total state spending. Much of this decline in support is due to the rapid growth in spending on such things as Medicaid. However, relative support of public higher education varies significantly between states. This study applies Tandberg's (2009) fiscal policy framework…

Describes how the author's experiences in studying the ability of law to deter drunk driving lead him to conclude that research serves mainly to supply rationalizations for positions to which the involved groups were previously committed. (Author/BSR)

The Religion and Media Interest Group section of the Proceedings contains the following 4 papers: "Not Alone in a Crowd: Religion, Media and Community Connectedness at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century" (Michael A. Longinow); "Hollywood's God: The Problem of Divine Providence" (Jeffery A. Smith); "The Press and the…

Recent political action by the Higher Education Assistance Foundation, the largest student-loan guarantee agency, has highlighted the increase in contributions by administrators, faculty, owners of proprietary schools, and lobbyists to legislators' campaigns, and the growing sophistication of the process. Supporters call it prudent; opponents…

Asian-Americans, who have traditionally shied away from political activity or have focused efforts more narrowly, are emerging in California as a workable political force in a statewide lobbying organization. (MSE)

At least two dozen political action committees in six states (Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, Washington) accept donations and contribute to legislators on behalf of diverse colleges and universities. Defenders say the political committees help keep the institutions' allies in office and protect access to them. Critics feel public…

Analyzes the higher education lobby conceptual framework (based on constituent interests) and political framework (based on lobby resources and interorganizational relationships) concluding that while the interest groups have unique characteristics, the associations reflect the decentralized, fragmented, and nonideological character of the…

The power of the student vote in 91 Congressional districts where college enrollment exceeds the incumbent's margin of victory in the 1976 elections is presented. The article on student voters included in this report discusses voter registration rates among students, turnout of registered student voters, voting patterns of students, student voting…

Congress has quietly approved millions of dollars for campus research projects not subjected to traditional merit reviews. The wisdom of allowing legislators to direct federal money to specific campuses is questioned less and less, and the practice is more prevalent than ever. (MSE)

Five changes in state politics are especially relevant to state universities' lobbying strategies: scarcer resources, greater government responsibility, citizens less supportive of government, more frequent use of referenda for policy decisions, and more complex interest group and campaign technology. State institutions must adjust their…

The American Federation of Teachers' Colleges and Universities Department suggests that organizations representing higher education in Congress have not been successful in articulating the goals of higher education and in defining its worth. (MLW)

The proliferation of national support organizations for higher education's various components has created potential for significant assistance in research and lobbying. However, few institutions are making good use of their national associations, and few are doing all they should to assist the assocations. (Author/MLW)

The growing restiveness and political force of the Mexican-American population is strengthening state institutions in South Texas, whose enrollments are predominantly Mexican-American and who are fighting discrimination in the state legislature. (MSE)

The state of evaluation is reviewed and it is suggested that problems lie not only in the political advocacy process through which policy is made, but also in the way evaluators have approached their tasks and presented their results. A project at the University of Wisconsin--Madison is described. (Author/MLW)