A new study shows the percentage of black coaches of big-time basketball and football teams lags far behind both the percentage of black athletes on those teams and the percentage of head coaches in professional leagues for those sports. Some feel racial attitudes, a strong old-boy network, and black coaches' low profiles are barriers to hiring…

A 1995 Department of Education survey of 3,792 postsecondary institutions reveals changes in staffing and salary patterns since 1991, including shifts in hiring, tenure, gender, and race among administrators, faculty, and general staff. Overall, full-time employment declined 1%; part-time employment rose 18%, and part-time faculty at two-year…

As part of a broader trend to cut costs and remain affordable, many private colleges are keeping tuition increases to a minimum. Institutions are cutting operating expenses and reducing financial aid, while trying to raise faculty salaries and install new technology. Nonetheless, many of the smaller tuition hikes still outpace inflation. (MSE)

Many colleges in New Jersey are opposed to the for-profit University of Phoenix plan to offer six degree programs within that state. The university currently enrolls 50,000 on 87 campuses in 13 states, Canada, and Puerto Rico and has formally applied for licensing in this and three other northeastern states. Thirteen colleges operate within a…

A survey based on tax return data shows that three presidents of private universities earned over $500,000 in pay and benefits in 1997; 46 earned over $300,000. The median at research universities was $351,453, a 6% increase. At baccalaureate colleges it was $179,322, up 4.1%. Some deferred-compensation payments skewed the figures slightly. (MSE)

On a federal tax form, only 75 of 475 colleges and universities surveyed reported that they had spent money on lobbying, defined as direct contacts with legislators or executive-branch officials about specific bills. Guidelines concerning reporting are unclear and confusing, and some institutions reveal as little as possible. Data on 78…

Based on data from tax forms, information is given on the 1996-97 institutional expenditures and income, presidential pay (1995-96 and 1996-97), 1996-97 fringe benefits, and pay and benefits of several other administrators at 475 private colleges and universities. (MSE)

As graduate enrollment in English falls, largely due to program reduction, many college and university English departments are recruiting freshman composition instructors from other fields. Although they may be skilled writers, many receive little or no formal training in how to teach writing. Issues concerning the unionization of teaching…

With the growth of the stock market in the 1990s, donations of $30-million and more to colleges and universities are becoming common, and there are more large gifts in general than ever before. These donations have a major impact on smaller institutions. Information on major private gifts and grants since 1967 is presented. (MSE)

About 700 college programs, ranging from short workshops to degree programs, now specialize in leadership development, twice as many as four years ago. Critics wonder whether the subject has enough substance to warrant an academic minor or major. Others doubt whether the skills of leadership can be acquired through classroom instruction. (MSE)

Until recently, the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other organizations stressed assistance to primary education in their aid to developing nations. Now, the important role of higher education in economic development is more widely acknowledged, deterioration of postsecondary systems is increasing, and assistance to…

A commercial enterprise, the Teaching Company, is recruiting gifted college teachers to record courses on video and audio tape, to be marketed nationally in an adult education series. While some colleagues dismiss such ventures, participating faculty feel the company is helping their disciplines. Some of the company's competitors hire actors…

As Abilene and other research networks designed to substantially enhance research capabilities join the Internet, network managers are concerned about unforeseen problems with the untested systems and their complex connections. (MSE)

The student loan default rate was 9.6% in 1996, a decline of 12.8% since the 1990 peak, saving the federal government $3 billion over six years. Since 1993 the Department of Education has barred 1065 institutions, mostly for-profit trade schools, from participating in federal student loan programs; institutions with a 40% default rate can lose…

Architect Adam Gross, in working with campus planning for 15 years, has developed strong notions about what makes a campus appealing and how institutions should pursue fundraising and financing. He takes a holistic approach, which looks at buildings in relation to one another and to the surrounding spaces, and prefers green spaces to asphalt. (MSE)