Examination of 10 small private successful liberal arts colleges identified the following key characteristics: clear and articulate leadership, strong management support, collegial atmosphere, well-focused institutional mission, and continuous innovation. Colleges were Bates (Maine), Beloit (Wisconsin), Berry (Georgia), Centre (Kentucky),…

Without an institutional research office to look at recruitment and retention programs, DePauw University (Indiana) relies heavily on institutional trend data and comparative information to assess the effectiveness of three initiatives: recruitment of large numbers of minority students, strategic use of financial aid, and use of market…

This book presents the story of small colleges in American higher education and how they can best respond to meet contemporary challenges. Chapter 1, an introduction, discusses the importance of the topic, small schools' strategic strengths, and market and institutional realities. Chapter 2 looks at the history of the small liberal arts college,…

Established in 1973, Standing Rock Community College serves the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation by providing education and training to all interested persons who can benefit from the effort, by providing service at a lower cost since families can remain at home, by having an open admission policy, and by being flexible so that the greatest good…

An external evaluation of the Small College Consortium (SCC) was designed to evaluate and make recommendations for linkages between the delivery of technical assistance services and progress toward institutional development. The case study component of the SCC evaluation for 1978 was undertaken as two separate but complementary analyses. The two…

Berea College keeps to its original ideals "to furnish the facilities for a thorough education to all persons of good moral character, at the least possible expense, and all the inducements and facilities for manual labor which can reasonably be supplied by the board of trustees." (MLW)

Similarities and differences in elements determining the religious character of 104 four-year Catholic colleges sponsored by women religious are examined. Literature on Catholic higher education, an analysis of college catalogs, and interviews with college presidents and the executive director of the Association of Catholic Colleges and…

The Christian college and the secular university are compared for their distinctive advantages and values. Prospective students and their parents are advised concerning how to investigate these differences in terms of their own needs and expectations, and how to make informed decisions. (CTM)

The second phase of a longitudinal project to describe and monitor speech communication programs at small colleges, expanded the data available on programs and provided an indication of program changes in the 3-year period since the first phase, which gathered initial data on the programs. The pilot study conducted in the first phase involved a…

A nationwide survey of two-year colleges was conducted in 1978 to determine the unique characteristics of the country's small and/or rural colleges. The survey instrument asked college presidents to indicate if their institutions could be considered small and/or rural and to rank the importance of 32 selected problem areas. Survey findings, based…

The problems and promises of very small colleges, those with fewer than 750 students, are examined systematically in this pilot study. Such colleges represent an estimated four or five percent of the nation's undergraduate enrollment. This report is based on preliminary studies of three small colleges. Focus is on what this kind of institution has…

Speech teachers in small colleges often feel frustrated because of their course load and other heavy demands made on their time. Because their departments are small, they have few colleagues in their discipline to work with, and this--plus time constraints--makes it difficult for them to remain professionally active. One way they can extricate…

Enrollment projections have indicated a large decline during the 1980's in the number of high school graduates, the traditional population enrolling in colleges and universities as freshmen. As competition for the available students increases it is suggested that smaller junior colleges like Potomac State College of West Virginia University may…

Discusses the characteristics of small colleges, which comprise over half the American postsecondary institutions. Describes the advantages of attending a small college and discusses student development as it relates to a small college setting. Challenges facing the small college are outlined, and goals and suggestions are offered. (Author/JAC)

Information about advancement programs at 190 small colleges is provided, with attention to recruitment/admissions, executive management, institutional relations, alumni, and fund raising. The 190 colleges, which responsed to a survey of members of the Council of Independent Colleges, are described according to enrollment size, geographic…