While the political activities of the small college and religious institution occur in a unique cultural context, they cannot be avoided. Politics and power can be best understood in ways that contribute to, rather than detract from, the work of those in student affairs in these kinds of institutions. (Author)

This case study of faculty culture focused on the dynamics of a small, rural, two-year branch campus of a large state university. It reports descriptive themes concerning the isolation and rural location of the campus, its diminutive size, faculty role perspectives, and factors related to faculty role implementation. It provides a portrait of this…

Bradford College (Massachusetts), a small liberal arts college, used creative planning to revitalize the institution despite fiscal constraints. Decisions and actions since 1981 are reviewed in terms of first steps (revitalizing faculty affairs), finding a new president, reorganizing the curriculum, planning noncurricular changes, and developing…

The Alternative Learners Program at College Misericordia is described. The program was founded 10 years ago by Joseph P. Rogan, and was one of the first for learning-disabled students. Learning strategies include tutoring, note-taking services, and talking computers and calculators. (MLW)

Reviews the reasons for conducting institutional assessments regardless of college size. Identifies the elements of institutional effectiveness and translates them into six questions with quantifiable answers, which when tallied produce an overall assessment of program effectiveness. (DMM)

Berea College and its hometown, Berea, Kentucky, undertook to coordinate their separate comprehensive plans for facilities and land use. The effort resulted in savings, conservation of staff time, integrated planning decisions, and understanding and cooperation among organizational entities. (MSE)

The American Technological University's pursuit of external funding through grants and contracts is described, and recommendations for staffing, policy, and practice related to sponsored programs are made. (MSE)

Strategic planning can successfully counter crises threatening a college's survival by clarifying the mission, by shaping institutional reorganization and curriculum development and by focusing marketing efforts and attracting new support. Crisis background, financial exigency, and reorganizing strategically are discussed. (MLW)

Describes ways in which proprietary schools are becoming more like community colleges, focusing on institutional mission, funding, and governance. Indicates that the transition to career colleges is characterized by longer programs, higher academic credentials for instructors, and pursuit of accreditation and degree-granting authority. (13…

Examines the arguments regarding convergence between community colleges and proprietary institutions put forth by the other authors in the current volume. Concludes that the convergence between institutions is more apparent than real, but that if external pressures continue or increase, it may become reality. (MAB)

There are many excellent scientists in the natural and human sciences in Canada's small universities. If the institutions implement internal procedures to encourage and foster a research climate and if research councils consider alternative strategies for research funding, research productivity could expand greatly in quality and scope. (MSE)

A case study of a small, private, selective college that made institutional changes to respond to needs of disabled students found that changes needed to effectively serve this group are complex and multidimensional. Six key factors facilitating organizational change are identified, changes are cited, and suggestions for further improvement are…

A telephone registration system for first year students implemented at Alma College (Michigan), involves having freshmen confer with advisors during orientation week, then having the registrar's office contact the advisors. Despite limitations, the low-tech solution works well at extremely low cost. (MSE)

Administrators at Bowdoin College (Maine) have translated lessons learned from the process of administrative software conversion into ten commandments for other small colleges undertaking such changes. Three approaches to management information systems are outlined, with advantages and limitations highlighted, as well as the ten recommendations,…

Estimates are that approximately 100,000 to 125,000 students take introductory astronomy classes each year at colleges and universities that do not grant bachelor's or higher degrees in physics or astronomy. This represents roughly 40% to 50% of the total number of students taking intro astronomy in the United States. Such nonresearch institutions…