A discussion of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 concerning responsibility for toxic waste disposal looks at college and university liability under the act, institutional defenses that could be raised under the act, and the settlement process. (MSE)

Describes structure and use of asbestos; diseases associated with asbestos exposure; legislation and regulations concerning asbestos; training requirements of individuals involved in asbestos abatement; sampling and testing whether a material contains asbestos; and liabilities. (MLF)

Explores the residential placement provision of the regulations accompanying the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Describes federal court interpretations, analyzing the criteria for distinguishing a special education residential placement from a noneducational residential placement. Suggests that courts should construe the residential…

The Department of Education's announcement of new policy concerning the evaluation of college desegregation efforts could affect the monitoring of compliance in several states in which court-ordered desegregation plans have expired. The higher standards are based on the 1992 Supreme Court ruling, United States v. Fordice. (MSE)

Federal regulations governing receipts from fund-raising events at colleges and universities are summarized, including rules concerning tax deductions for raffle tickets, how and when to acknowledge donor gifts (cash or non-cash), and disclosure of fair market value. (MSE)

It is noted that federal deregulation of the electrical utility industry will allow colleges and universities to buy electrical services from suppliers who provide the best reliability and cost combination. Considerations are examined for the following options: purchasing an existing electrical substation, building a new substation, using on-site…

Two decades of affirmative action have not substantially altered the percentage of women and minorities in higher education faculty and professional ranks. Although continued attention to affirmative action is important, institutions should not let their guidelines channel and truncate the screening process so as to overlook stronger candidates.…

An unusual conflict-of-interest case involving the federal government, a university researcher on ear infections, and the pharmaceutical industry has renewed the debate over what constitutes unacceptable conflict of interest, federal review of medical treatment, government protection against research bias, and disclosure of research project…

Guidelines are offered to authors on the correct citation format for legal references, including statutes and regulations, court decisions, and law review articles. Standards are based on those published by the Harvard Law Review Association and the American Psychological Association. (DB)

The response of higher education to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988 is examined, and the likely response to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is discussed. Implications of the new legislation for colleges and universities are outlined. (MSE)

A survey of 75 college and university presidents concerning their attitudes toward federal regulation found that presidents do not feel overly burdened in terms of such indicators as time, need for legal staff, and number of lawsuits. Areas of concern included alleged discrimination, the environment, and student loan reporting requirements. (DB)

Campus chief executive officers are encouraged to become involved in the federal regulatory process, because regulations can be more significant to the affected parties than the laws that engendered them; thus, the regulatory drafting process offers another opportunity to offer guidance and to persuade. (DB)

Planning for and implementing the Financial Accounting and Standards Board's Statement of Financial Accounting Standards for nonpension retirement benefits gives colleges and universities an opportunity to assess and revise their retiree health benefit plans. However, assessment of the current plan, objectives of changes, projected impact, and…

The Department of Education has ruled that a federal privacy-protection law gives college students the right to see their admissions files, based on a Harvard University graduate's request. The ruling could help shed light on how institutions select students and on the validity of racial discrimination charges in other institutions. (MSE)

Interviews with 30 Indiana migrant farmworkers revealed their limited formal education but broad experiential learning. They were more concerned with preventive health and safety training and literacy education than with pesticide training. Although growers were mandated by the federal Worker Protection Standard to educate workers, implementation…