The role of student affairs staff in small colleges is considered in eight chapters. Topics of discussion include: conditions facing small colleges, the small college ecology, the role of the student affairs division in providing leadership for institutional planning and research, examples of innovative programming that maximize scarce resources…

Research on student development has shown positive effects of institutional smallness on most student outcome variables. However, no clear relationship of ruralness to these outcome measures has been shown. The limited literature on small/rural community colleges includes two areas relevant to student development: college characteristics, which…

This article addresses some of the contextual factors that influence faculty evaluation in a small, church-related liberal arts college and identifies five areas in which structural and normative constraints of the institution may affect individual faculty ratings. Provides recommendations for preparing evaluations which minimize the impact of…

In order to attract strong faculty members, many of whom may not realize initially the distinctive strengths of small colleges, small schools need to work hard and plan well to recruit and hire qualified faculty in communication and theatre. A search and screen process which presents an accurate and attractive picture of the small college is an…

Probably no facet of American higher education has received less serious evaluation and study than small and/or rural two-year colleges. Though the work of the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges Task Force of Small/Rural Community Colleges (particularly on the themes of finance and communication of information) is a helpful…

Puts forward the thesis of convergence of community colleges and proprietary schools, which suggests that career and community colleges are becoming increasingly alike in providing a specialized form of education and training beyond secondary school. Compares aspects of the two institutions, and provides groundwork for informed discussion on the…

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…

A university-educated art historian examines her transition to teaching at a small southern college. Challenges faced included a new clientele of students, the metamorphosis from graduate student to content expert, committee demands and overcommitment, and finding a personal niche. Significant benefits of small-college professional life are also…

A former high school counselor and college basketball referee who has visited many colleges has transformed this experience into a career as consultant to high school guidance counselors. He often favors out-of-the-way liberal arts colleges, and is known for being student-oriented in his commentaries. College recruitment and admissions officers…

Chief student personnel administrators for small/rural community colleges were surveyed to compare their student personnel programs to a major student development model, so as to provide for a basis for comparison of small college student personnel programs. A profile of chief personnel administrators of small colleges is described. (RC)

Offers a case study of a history professor teaching at the Behrend College campus of Pennsylvania State University. Provides general information concerning professional responsibilities and teaching techniques, suggesting methods for adapting to this particular environment. Urges similar disclosure of work conditions by other professionals so that…

In examining research on the characteristics and problems of small/rural community colleges, one finds that a consistent definition of 'rural' does not exist, and that most research has traditionally focused on the differences between private and public colleges, not between small and large institutions. Research indicates that: (1) classes tend…

The changes that small liberal arts colleges have undergone are discussed in this monograph in terms of their past, present, and future roles in society. The first section looks at these colleges in the colonial context and shows how they were altered by specialization, secularization, the rise of science and empirical research, and by an…

This investigation examined the history and durability of educational innovation at six colleges and universities (Pitzer College (California); New College of the University of South Florida; Hampshire College (Massachusetts); University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; University of California Santa Cruz; and The Evergreen State College (Washington) that…

Describes the origins and characteristics of Deep Springs College (DSC), which since 1917 has teamed liberal arts instruction with the physical labor of running a cattle ranch. Uses alumni survey responses to assess the long-term effects of attending DSC. Examines paradoxes inherent in the school and its future prospects. (DMM)