Describes a one-week retreat in the mountains sponsored by the University of Georgia for doctoral students beginning or working to complete their dissertations. Students report satisfaction with the freedom from distractions and the support provided by other students. (DB)

Discusses the legal problem of whether professors themselves or their colleges own faculty-created software. Questions center on whether software is like traditional scholarly publishing (thus owned by the professor) or more like an invention or work for hire (and thus owned by the university). Also addresses copyright issues, the use of college…

Analyzes the case of a Brandeis University student found guilty of "unwanted sexual activity" by a university judicial panel. The student sued Brandeis, and the Massachusets Appeals Court ruled against Brandeis despite the court's customary deference to the decision making of private institutions. Ten other colleges are supporting Brandeis. A…

Describes the battle of one English professor at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville against the special academic help provided to athletes at that institution. Notes a possible investigation by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, media attention, and the professor's proposal that all academic tutoring be overseen by an academic…

Reports on controversy surrounding Portland (Oregon) State University's nationally renowned, interdisciplinary general education program. Critics feel the four-year curriculum, which focuses on learning processes rather than content, has resulted in a watered-down curriculum that doesn't teach enough writing, math, literature, science, art, and…

Reports that Congress has earmarked a record amount of money (more than $1 billion) for projects involving specific colleges in the 2000 fiscal year. Notes that such "pork-barrel" spending has tripled since 1996. Charts show trends in earmarks since 1989, year 2000 earmarks by agency, the top 20 recipients of earmarked grants, and ranking of…

Reports on experiences of eight private Long Island (New York) colleges that compete for similar students. Discussion centers on Dowling College and Adelphi University; and Hofstra, a possible exception with a $100 million endowment, which aspires to become a comprehensive regional university. However, most institutions have scaled down grandiose…

Examines "social norms" marketing, an effort by several colleges and universities to encourage healthy student behaviors by countering perceptions of unhealthy "cool" behaviors and stressing the positive behaviors of "most" students. Examples of posters and other marketing strategies are from Virginia Commonwealth University, Gustavus Adolphus…

Reports on a tenure controversy within the Indiana University department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures that has involved possible death threats, a hunger strike, and controversy over the department's continued existence. For now the professor, an expert on Islamic philosophy, remains at the institution, other faculty have left, and…

Reports on efforts at California State University to limit remedial instruction through such measures as requiring students to complete all remedial work before their sophomore year and working with high schools to align placement testing and high school curricula. Critics suggest students are being punished for attending high schools that failed…

Describes the role of the instructional designer in working with professors to translate their traditional courses and favorite teaching techniques into an online format. Examples are from the World Campus program, which pairs instructional designers at various institutions (such as Pennsylvania State University) with faculty members. (DB)

To attract and keep faculty members with growing children, Columbia University (New York) is opening its own private school (K-8), with faculty apartments built on top. It is hoped the school and apartments will address faculty members' cost of living and quality of life concerns. Some public school proponents view the new school as a threat. (DB)

Reports on continued growth of Sallie Mae, the nation's largest financer of federal student loans. Notes the company's purchase of the USA Group, the nation's largest student loan guarantee agency, competition with the federal direct loan program, political contributions to legislators who set loan policies, and development of Laureate, a…

Explains the new Carnegie classification system for institutions of higher education, a sweeping revision that emphasizes teaching, focusing on the number and types of degrees an institution awards rather than research or selectivity in admissions. The biggest change is for universities that award doctorates--these are now grouped into only two…

Lists the classifications of 3,856 institutions of higher education under the Carnegie Foundation's new classification system. Includes text of the category definitions and lists institutions alphabetically by state, with new and, when different, old classifications. (DB)