This article seeks to apply Adam Swift's (2003) critique of private and selective schooling to higher education in the UK. The higher education sector in this country is highly differentiated, with high status, research-led elite institutions at the top of the university hierarchy, and newer universities, with far lower levels of funding and…

From a comparative perspective, this paper analyses Chinese learners' intercultural experiences in Chinese and British educational contexts. In the Chinese context, interview and questionnaire research was carried out in 24 universities that hosted the British Council's English teaching development programmes. The research uncovered perspectives…

The contribution of high school guidance counselors during the information and inquiry stages of students' selection of a college was assessed. A statewide population survey of all high school counselors in New York yielded 660 usable responses (20 percent). Attention is focused on quality estimations of four criteria for 15 institutions. Quality…

Five articles on historical developments in higher education are presented. In "Oxford Dons and Professional Men in Victorian England," Arthur Engel discusses how 19th century Oxford dons sought to make university teaching into a profession, as well as the trend toward specialization in other developing professions. In "'Western' Colleges,…

The relationship between reputational ratings of graduate-level chemistry, history, and psychology departments and their faculties' scholarly productivity was examined using data from a national sample of departments in each field. Faculty reported the number of their professional articles in journals, chapters in books, scholarly book reviews,…

A questionnaire administered to 1979 incoming freshmen at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was used to assess the effects of educational maturity on college choice. Educational maturity is defined by the student's certainty about college major and career choice. Results show that strength of the major department is the most frequent…

Conference proceedings on evaluation of credentials and degree equivalences of foreign students are presented. The conference was designed to improve evaluations in Massachusetts and to encourage more cooperation and greater consistency. Contributions are as follows: a UNESCO approach by Sanford Jameson; the approach of the National Association of…

Studies concerning attributes of quality in higher education as defined in academic studies are reviewed. Separate reviews are presented for studies of quality at the graduate level, in professional programs, and at the undergraduate level. Academe's continuing attempts to quantify "quality" so as to measure it empirically rather than subjectively…

The publishing requirements, honorary degrees, and the assessment of literary merit are mocked in this brief piece of fiction concerning the professional advancement of college English teachers. (AF)

The role of college lay governing boards in the 1980s is addressed. Focus is on trustees' responsibilities with respect to litigation, government regulation, private gifts and tax reform, academic tenure, faculty unions, interinstitutional cooperation, deferred maintenance of college buildings, accreditation, and public image. (JMD)

Recognizing tendencies toward contract research and possible consequences, advocates creating a conduct code to regulate educational research and protect its integrity. Reports survey responses from 48 British institutions, showing no systematic code. States confidence in supervisory discretion currently guides research. Proposes a specific code…

Describes a visit to the Harvard University (Massachusetts) business school to examine how its curriculum and instruction have responded to economic, social, and technological changes in the business world. Focus is on the use of the case method and classroom discussion as central teaching techniques and the value of program participation to…

Debate grows over the validity and reliability of college and university rankings, which judge rather than describe institutions, as the public's willingness to accept them increases. While many institutional characteristics can be measured, measurement methods need improvement. One solution is to publish the peer studies that the institutions…

This paper investigates changing modes of femininity. It asks: What are the discourses and discursive practices within which new femininities are constructed? What are the social conditions in which they emerge? How are these negotiated and lived by girls? What do these stories tell us about the complications of subject formation and what it means…

Twenty-six women with professor rank at a large, public, research extensive university were interviewed for this study in which respondents discussed the meanings and significance associated with full professorship. Major themes included: the promotion event and the accompanying title of professor, anticipated and actual changes in their status…