Discusses the increasing role of the London-based media conglomerate Pearson PLC and its subsidiary FT Knowledge in bringing together various Pearson assets in distance and corporate education. The company is developing partnerships with several elite institutions to develop course material for world-wide marketing. Other initiatives include the…

Discussion of the newly reconstituted Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics focuses on issues facing the commission, including its role in preventing an "arms race" in salaries, facilities, and other aspects of athletic departments; the need to empower college/university presidents to take more control of athletics; and…

Evaluates presidential candidate Al Gore's priorities for higher education, noting criticism by some educators of his emphasis on benefits for the middle class and the large number of specific proposals he has offered, including the College Opportunity Tax Cut, 21st Century Teachers' Corps, 401(j) Educational Savings Accounts, the National Tuition…

Reports on experiences of the increasing number of college students and scholars who are visiting Cuba, where they find fertile ground for research but intolerance of dissent. Also notes views toward such academic exchanges by various institutions such as the University of Miami, Florida International University, and the University of Havana. (DB)

Reports study findings indicating that the share of college and university presidencies held by women doubled from 1986 to 1998, and that of African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and American Indian presidents rose by 40 percent. Graphs detail findings concerning presidents' characteristics, percentage of women and minority presidents by…

Discusses the controversy over the arrangement between UMI, a company that stores, reproduces, and sells master's theses and doctoral dissertations, and the commercially based online retailer, Contentville.com. Both American and Canadian scholars have been surprised to find their work being offered, without their permission, for sale online by…

Describes the different approaches taken in managing the resources provided in large donations of forested land to three Southeastern universities: the University of Georgia, the University of Mississippi, and Auburn University (Alabama). Also reports on a survey of forest- owning institutions and notes conflicts over managing the land for income…

Reports a high demand at law schools for courses on Internet issues, Cyberlaw, but notes that some critics question whether the topic warrants its own specialty. Suggests the appeal is based on intellectual excitement about the burgeoning field, the high technology comfort level of students who grew up with the Internet, and the promise of…

Examines the involvement of consultants from the nonprofit National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) in the long-term planning of public college systems, including those of West Virginia, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas, and Kentucky. Traces the development of NCHEMS from its establishment in 1969 as a federally supported…

Describes the online distance education efforts of Salish Kootenai College (Montana) which is using inexpensive software and a staff of three people to provide 50 courses to several hundred students. Emphasis is on traditional values, including service over profit, collaborative learning, spirituality, creative thinking, and problem solving. (DB)

Discusses the growing interest in "ethnomathematics," an effort to embrace non-European methods of math in college courses, especially in teacher education courses. Proponents claim they are teaching the same concepts as in traditional math but adding new culturally sensitive reasoning skills. Critics suggest dangers in teaching "politically…

Reports concerns of scholars that the National Endowment for the Humanities is increasing support for many popular programs while decreasing or eliminating support for projects that involve the editing of important scholarly papers. Notes congressional support for the Endowment's current policy including its emphasis on fund raising by grant…

Examines implications of increasing health costs borne by colleges and universities and their employees. Notes that institutions of higher education have a wide spectrum of plans with increased costs this year averaging over 12 percent. Also finds decreased competition among insurance companies and physician networks and political complications…

Describes college and university educational applications of desktop virtual reality to provide a more human touch to interactive distance education programs and impress the brain with more vivid images. Critics suggest the technology is too costly and time consuming and may even distract students from the content of an online course. (DB)

Reports on the increasing number of Catholics attending college in the traditionally Protestant South and the variety of programs and services developed at various institutions to meet their needs. Quotes students and administrators from various institutions including state universities, Protestant sectarian schools, small private colleges, and…