Can all the universities that claim to be "world-class" actually live up to the claim? If they could, would that be desirable public policy? It could be that there are so many different meanings of "world-class" that the term in practical effect is an oxymoron: the definition of "world" is determined locally when conceptually it should be defined…

Leadership, like diversity, is often used in education as an all-encompassing notion, applied to a wide variety of situations, or at times, used rather loosely. The danger with such an approach is the lack of specificity. Yet, specificity can set the boundaries so narrow that one is led to believe one approach is better than another or that "one…

In this article, the author shares the views of his undergraduate students regarding elder female agency and their answers to the question: "Do old ladies make world history?" Because his undergraduate students mostly view the past in terms of the Great Man theory of history, which holds that those who make history are necessarily great,…

This study examined 68 Web sources selected by 19 second-language (L2) students while preparing to write research papers. Students submitted an annotated bibliography consisting of ten sources from print or electronic media. Each Web source was classified according to type (e.g., news or advocacy). Of the 68 sites, 29 were considered conventional,…

Seven papers are presented from the presession of the 1992 International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) conference dealing with the status and reputation of the library and information professions, which continue to suffer a lack of image in society. Suggestions for improving the status of the library and information…

This proceedings presents the discussions, business meetings, lectures, and speeches delivered at the 104th Annual Meeting of The National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, including the organization's financial statements for December 31, 1990 and 1989. In addition, the proceedings lists the past elected heads of the…

Characteristics that might help predict student prominence within a medical school class were studied. The prominent student is one who is highly visible and extensively involved in key relationships with other students. This prominence is expected to provide the student with greater access to information and resources held by classmates. A total…

This study tests the hypothesis that previous ratings of programs in psychology reflect both an experimental psychology and general institutional halo bias. It was found that applied programs in counseling psychology do receive ratings that differ from overall ratings of psychology in general. Programs ranked as strong, good, and adequate are…

Prestige-suggestion, the effect that the prestige or reputation of a source has on a receiver, is the subject of this paper. Three research studies which have been done recently by researchers in reading are reported. These studies asked the following questions: If consumers evaluate products by means of reading store advertisements, will they be…

This paper summarizes a May 1972, study of the relationship between teaching and research in seventeen University of Washington departments. The study sought correlations among the following: (1) Research reputation, measured by departments' ratings in the most recent American Council on Education's rating of Graduate Programs. (2) Departmental…

The growth in cynicism about universities is discussed. None of society's institutions depends more than universities on the public belief that their purposes are more public-spirited and less self-interested. (MLW)

The factors that played a major role in the rapid improvement of academic departments at eight major research universities are explored. Five improvement strategies are identified: departmental hiring practices, funding, leadership, strategic planning, and overall institutional reputation. (Author/MLW)

Four things to keep in mind when involved in institutional marketing are identified: make sure the reality of the institution matches the image promoted; keep institutional image simple; tailor external relations program to meet the needs of a diverse constituency; and be persistent and consistent. (MLW)

Rosemarie Tong, CASE's Professor of the Year, notes that ethical issues arise in everyday life. She wants to make philosophy available to those whose lives are focused on practical activity. Her most popular class is a survey course in women's studies. (MLW)

The best way to protect individuals and institutions from libel suits is to verify the truth of what is printed. An institutional editor's guide to do's, don'ts, and definitions is presented. An editor is as responsible for a libelous letter as the author is. (MLW)