Reports on the closing of Bradford College (Massachusetts), a small independent institution with a recent history characterized by shifting strategies, a heavy debt burden, and unrealistic enrollment projections. Compares Bradford's experience with that of Trinity College (Vermont), another small, struggling but surviving, institution. (DB)

Reports on development of a consortium, Jesuit Distance Education Network, of 24 Jesuit colleges and universities that will offer online courses. Rather than offer degrees directly, the network will act as a Web portal for participating colleges to market their online programs. Courses will emphasis Jesuit values and the teacher-student…

Reports on conflicts between student religious groups and college nondiscrimination policies concerning homosexuality. Incidents involved the student Christian Fellowship chapters at Tufts University (Massachusetts) and Middlebury College (Vermont). Conflict focuses on freedom of religion versus the institution's right to withhold funding from…

Discussion of current trends in Black Studies scholarship finds continuity in the activist tradition of emphasizing description, correction, and prescription, as well as increasing emphasis on building coalitions, economics, race, and gender. Focuses on collaboration of scholars and community activists as evidenced in the Black Radical Congress.…

Discusses policies of Pennsylvania's Secretary of Education, Eugene W. Hickok, Jr., which include encouraging colleges to graduate more students in four years, stressing the need to improve the academic rigor of core curricula and teacher education programs at state universities, increasing state student financial aid, and encouraging for-profit…

Reports that Harvard University Medical School is considering policy changes that would ease financial restrictions in its conflict-of-interest standards for faculty researchers. Supporters argue that such changes are necessary to attract and retain top researchers, but ethicists warn that as collaborations between industry and academic medicine…

Compares the distance education model of Western Governors University, which offers online instruction and degrees and competes with existing colleges, with that of Southern Regional Education Board's Electronic Campus, which offers students easy access to online courses offered by participating colleges. Notes that the SREB model has been more…

Reports on a recent trend at community colleges to employ consultants to advise on ways to recruit and retain students. Suggests such efforts are due to current enrollment declines after years of steadily increasing enrollments. Notes the competition of for-profit institutions and online courses. Quotes both critics and supporters of using…

Reports on increasing efforts of universities, especially those in states where racial preferences in admissions have been outlawed, to recruit more minority students by soliciting transfer students from local community colleges. Some institutions are easing admissions policies for transfer students, holding "diversity fairs," and offering some…

Reports that some universities are starting their own venture-capital funds to develop campus companies, or are investing endowment funds with established venture-capital firms inclined to finance potential spinoffs from campus research. Examples cited are from the University of Alabama, Vanderbilt University (Tennessee), University of…

Reports many colleges and universities are extending the hours during which they provide technical support for distance education, offering late-night, weekend, or around- the-clock services, and notes use of private companies to provide such services to multiple institutions. Problems include large fluctuations in number of calls and e-mail…

Finds that while more college-bound students are utilizing the early decision process, many others are delaying their decision until the last possible moment. Reasons cited include rising costs, need for more financial aid, and increasing selectivity. Notes that increased number of students graduating from high school and booming economy have made…

Analyzes plans of some states (California, Florida, and Texas) to admit top high school graduates to public colleges and universities as a way to promote diversity without affirmative action programs. Critics claim such plans exploit educational segregation while doing nothing to improve schools, and may create inequities by denying admission to…

Reports that several authors and publishers of college guidebooks receive money from schools selected for coverage, or sell space to admissions offices for additional coverage beyond the standard profiles. Both supporters, who say that such charges are necessary to support the publication, and critics, who feel these practices undercut…

Provides data showing the numbers of college athletics officials by race and sex for 1999-2000. Analysis indicates most senior administrators are still white males, but that the number of female and minority coaches is increasing. Notes sidetracking of African Americans into academic advising and development of internship programs for females and…