A sample of 5,162 undergraduates at 74 institutions was surveyed to identify the effect of the college environment on students' educational aspirations. Several environmental factors had modest but significant effects on aspirations; however, the magnitude of the effects differed somewhat by gender and institutional selectivity. (Author/MLW)

The administration of Columbia Basin College (CBC) that serves Benton and Franklin Counties in Washington State compiled an annual report for 1999 on the status and accomplishments of the college. Founded in 1955 as part of the public school system, CBC now serves about 12,500 students each year in over 50 academic and technical fields, and offers…

Presents self-reported prevalence and incidence data about student academic dishonesty generated from an anonymous survey. Over two-thirds of students reported some form of academic dishonesty during a sample semester. Evaluates the perceived effectiveness of cheating countermeasures by comparing those students who admitted involvement with those…

This article evaluates the concept of student development from the perspective of the adequacy of its theoretical knowledge base and with reference to the 14 specific propositions about student development identified by Strange (1994). (71 references) (Author/RB)

A woman law school faculty member at Brigham Young University (Utah) discusses the teaching of feminist legal theory to conservative, traditional, and religious students. The discussion looks at the conservative university community, characteristics of enrolled students, objectives of the course, and the class format and teaching approach. (MSE)

A study of 121 second-semester college freshmen and first-semester sophomores found that the perceived psychological health of the student's family of origin and its income level were significantly positively correlated with the student's social and personal adjustment to college but that other expected demographic variables were not correlated…

This survey of 149 students explored learning from out-of-class college experiences such as leadership, peer interaction, faculty contact, work, and travel. It found that many different experiences potentially contribute to valued college outcomes, that sex and ethnicity did not explain differences in students' activities and outcomes, and that…

Summarizes research findings on campus racial climate according to a four-dimensional model: (1) an institutions' historical legacy of inclusion/exclusion of various racial/ethnic groups; (2) structural diversity, or numerical representations of various racial/ethnic groups; (3) psychological climate (perceptions, attitudes among groups); and (4)…

Little is known about the Asian Pacific American (APA) college student, but three problems may have important implications for teaching and learning: communication with and within the population; refugee waves; and generational identity. Educators should consider alternative and more appropriate strategies to avoid neglecting segments of this…

Undergraduates living in residence halls (n=578) completed the Social Satisfaction Questionnaire (SSQ). SSQ scores predicted subsequent roommate breakups resulting from interpersonal conflict. The prediction of breakup provided by SSQ scores was superior to that for demographic variables, other indices of the relationship quality, and general…

A study of 3,331 college freshmen in 18 institutions investigated the factors influencing their openness to cultural diversity and challenges to their beliefs and values. Results indicated a nondiscriminatory racial environment, on-campus residence, participation in a racial or cultural awareness workshop, and involvement with diverse peers had…

Examines the individual nature of student responses and identifies common themes in student experiences during the first year of postsecondary studies. Academic demands were central concerns for students, but there was considerable variability in perceived characteristics of transition demands associated with student roles. Discusses age and sex…

This study used data from the Midwest Colleges Study to examine the personal characteristics and environmental features that affect the development of college students' attitudes toward diversity and race-based politics. Specifically, it evaluated how college students' demographic characteristics, precollege backgrounds, perceptions of…

The makeup of student bodies in higher education has become more diverse, but students tend to be clustered in segments of the postsecondary system and in various levels and fields. Many campuses do not effectively integrate students who are different. Institutions that are successful in this area tend to: (1) focus on student success and provide…

A study was conducted to gather responses to the question "what is it like to be a black student on a traditionally or predominantly white campus in 1986?" Responses were gathered by 22 black student leaders from 13 predominantly white campuses in North Carolina, using random samples of black first-year students at their institutions.…