Following an analysis of the literature on the operation of institutions within society and of the school as an institution, this exploratory study examined Brazilian students' perceptions of school and life in light of school's structural aspects, such as bureaucratic organization and social/political functions. The orientations of Pierre Erny,…

This report describes the results of a series of studies examining changing beliefs concerning civil liberties among students attending several small colleges which differed dramatically in student characteristics, institutional goals, climate, teaching practices, and student-faculty relationships. The findings indicated that: (1) there was a net…

Findings of a study that compared the school climates of four Japanese high schools are presented in this paper. Eight factors that comprise the quality of school climate were examined--respect, trust, high morale, opportunities for input, continuous academic and social growth, cohesiveness, school renewal, and caring (Fox and others, 1974). A…

This white paper describes the extent of drinking on college campuses; the health, social, academic, and economic costs thereof; means of education and intervention available to schools; and the relationship of many university policies and practices to this problem. The paper is organized into two major sections. The first describes the nature of…

An ecosystems environmental assessment project was conducted in order to evaluate the residence hall environment at Indiana University, Bloomington campus. Students (N=637), representing a response rate of 67%, completed questionnaires during October 1979. Items about which most students expressed strong feelings, positive or negative, included…

In order to test the validity of a measure of Australian students' views on the quality of life within their schools, a small-scale study was conducted in seven secondary schools, including both public and private institutions. The 52-item survey instrument was administered to 651 students in grades 9-12. Followup interviews of students were held…

STUDENTS FROM NINE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE UNITED STATES WERE STUDIED TO DETERMINE THE COMPATIBILITY OF CERTAIN STUDENT INFLUENCES WITH THE PURPOSES OF THE INSTITUTIONS. CORRELATIONAL STUDIES WERE MADE ON 1,319 PARTICIPATING STUDENTS. DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM THE COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS INDEX (CCI) AND COLLEGE CHARACTERISTICS ANALYSIS…

This is the first in a series of reports, based exclusively on interview data, which concerns the initial reactions to the university experience of a random sample of 100, class of 1966 freshmen. Information is presented on the students' decision to attend college, their reactions to the first few weeks of university experience, their attitudes…

Discusses a study conducted at two Catholic high schools to identify the factors which, according to student perceptions, create a concern for others during high school. Examines students' views about "caring," influences on their development, self-perceptions, and knowledge of social issues. Identifies cultural/social diversity as significant…

This paper represents a phenomenological approach to studying the lived experiences of nine African American graduate students. By outlining a step-by-step process, the paper demonstrates how in-depth interviews with narrators can help to reveal the essential structure of the phenomenon of prejudice. Following the process of thematic reduction,…

The variety of manpower needs generated by advanced technology plus all that is known about human variability in aptitude, achievement, interests, motivations, attitudes, values and intellectual dispositions underscore the need for a highly diversified higher education system. Britain has lagged behind other industrial countries in providing a…

Educator and researcher specializing in student retention, Tinto discusses own experience leaving doctoral program to join Peace Corps, reviews internal and external causes of attrition, characteristics of successful retention programs, and role of teaching in retention. Favors establishing a sense of community on campuses to enhance students'…

The intellectual development of black college students on a predominantly white campus was examined using the Reflective Judgment model of post-adolescent intellectual development. The model posits a seven-stage sequence of changes in assumptions about the sources of certainty of knowledge, and shows how these assumptions affect the ways adults…

In the spring of 1976, a questionnaire was sent to a sample of UCLA upperclassmen. The purpose was to determine how much agreement there was about various features of the university environment and whether students perceptions differed by major fields, campus or off-campus residence, and by other aspects of their experience at the university. This…

In order to determine the preferences and perceptions of Native Alaska students attending Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) boarding schools, a survey instrument was devised to reveal the BIA student's background; future plans; and his projected feelings relative to school facilities, personnel, curricula, and interpersonal relationships. Respondents…