Reports on efforts at several colleges (Ithaca College, New York; Princeton University, New Jersey; Luther College, Iowa; and Vassar College, New York) to end such school traditions as nude streaking or naked soccer, usually accompanied by heavy drinking. School officials see such activities as significant threats to students' health and safety.…

Reports on the founding of Ave Maria School of Law (Michigan), opening in 2000, which plans to integrate Catholic teachings into every course. Focus is on the school's founder, Thomas S. Monaghan, and the school's first dean, Bernard Dobranski, who suggest that the new school can avoid difficulties with tenured liberal professors and attract top…

Analyzes 1999 endowment performance of 503 colleges and universities and finds that 34 universities now have endowments that top $1 billion; however, despite the strong market, average returns were the lowest of the past five years. Also identifies institutions with highest and lowest returns; graphs show distribution of assets, trends in returns,…

This table ranks 503 colleges and universities in order of the value of their endowments. The table includes data on endowment market values as of June 30, 1998 and June 30, 1999, and the percentage one-year change. (DB)

Describes a program at Texas Tech University which offers scholarships to 36 recovering drug or alcohol addicts each semester as part of its Center for the Study of Addiction which trains addiction counselors. Notes the special admissions process for these students and their apparent success in the program. (DB)

Examines the controversies arising when scholarly associations must decide whether to meet in localities or hotels that have policies or practices, such as racial discrimination, with political implications. Evaluates differing decisions of various organizations (e.g., Organization of American Historians) concerning possible boycotts of specific…

Reports on controversy Brown University (Rhode Island) as Gordon Gee leaves to become chancellor of Vanderbilt University (Tennessee) after only two years as president of Brown, and notes feelings of betrayal in light of large compensation offered Gee by Vanderbilt. Reports average tenures for college presidents and quotes Gee as saying that he…

Reports on the increasing use of virtual-reality devices at Pennsylvania State University's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and other institutions that allow medical residents to practice their skills in simulated operations. Notes that both students and professors are enthusiastic about the simulations but that the necessary technology and…

Reports on steps elite higher education institutions are taking to prevent student suicides. Notes that students are coming to highly selective colleges with more mental health problems than ever before and are overwhelming university counseling centers. Notes a recent Harvard University report calling for the hiring of more psychologists and…

Reports on the increasing numbers of college and university faculty, especially in computer science and related high-technology fields, who have struck it rich in the Internet gold rush. Notes that while these newly wealthy faculty members take more time off from teaching than do average faculty members, most continue in their academic jobs,…

Describes plans of the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education to publish (Fall 2000) its evaluation of public and private colleges in all 50 states in terms of access, affordability, and economic and civic benefits. Critics claim higher education is too complex to grade, but proponents predict that "bad grades" will lead to public…

Interviews with seven adults who are successfully taking college courses via Internet-based distance education offer vignettes of their experiences. Students emphasize the importance of keeping current, the value of a regular schedule, their enjoyment of the flexibility distance education provides, and their desire for the immediate feedback of…

Examines the special pressures felt by student newspapers at black colleges to portray their institutions and administrations in a positive light. Some students report self-censorship of publications is necessary for publication survival; however, administrators state that although unhappy with some media, they do not condone censorship of campus…

Examines factors involved in the greater numbers of traffic accidents as college sports teams travel more frequently and further to compete in intercollegiate events. Suggests that athletes in non-income-generating sports and/or in lower divisions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association are at greater risk because they are more likely to…

Examines indications of the increasing dominance of English at institutions of higher education throughout the world. Suggests the trend is being fueled by the spread of information technology and competition for foreign students. Examples are from Norway, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, Arab countries, Namibia, Eastern Europe, Denmark, Southeast…