The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down parts of the Communications Decency Act as violating the First Amendment. The law was predicted to wreak havoc on the Internet and connected campus computer networks. The 1996 law was aimed at protecting children from pornography but threatened the availability of a wide range of materials,…

The University of Texas is one of a number of universities entering the managed-care business to hold on to their teaching hospitals' niche in a radically-altered health-care market. The process is expensive, and observers worry that the institutions are underestimating the risks involved. Some have been relatively successful, and feel medical…

In 1996, college athletes in "revenue-producing" sports (basketball and football) graduated at lower rates than other students, while athletes in general graduated at a higher rate than that of other undergraduates. Much of the recent improvement in athlete graduation rates is attributed to women. Data on graduation rates are tabulated by ethnic…

In a bitter battle over faculty diversity, students at the progressive New School for Social Research (New York) have held administrators hostage, staged a hunger strike, and denounced professors as racist. At issue is retention of the only black woman professor, a visiting scholar. An effort since 1990 to add minority scholars and students is…

Software piracy among college students is increasing, and the software publishing industry insists colleges are responsible for the activities of their computer nets' users. Colleges generally cooperate with publishers when their students are found infringing on copyrights. The Software Publishers Association is holding a University of Puget Sound…

A report by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy finds higher education institutions have received $88.9 million from 12 conservative foundations in 1992-94, with $51.3 million going to just 16 universities seen as committed to influencing public policy. Limited evidence suggests liberal foundations are not taking a similar approach.…

Over 500 of the 60,000 students at Northern Virginia Community College already have doctorates, but are seeking job-specific training. Some are enhancing current skills and some are changing careers for personal or economic reasons. Proliferation of high-technology companies in the area has influenced this trend. About 15% of the college's…

Over a dozen states are trying to force their public colleges to be more accommodating to transfer students, urging use of common course numbers and titles and in some cases mandating that the institutions accept credits earned elsewhere. The effort is designed to make community colleges less expensive and more attractive to students and taxpayers…

College deans, formerly responsible mainly for academic issues and liaison between faculty and administration, are increasingly charged with cultivating potential donors, particularly at state institutions in states where public funding has remained flat and institutions are engaged in multi-year capital campaigns. Deans are well positioned to…

Predicted enrollment growth at four-year colleges in some states has not occurred. Trends complicating projection include increase in high school students taking college courses and progressing quickly; community college demand among older students; federal aid and tax changes; growth of distance learning; state and federal welfare program…

Under its new president, the Ford Foundation, a key grantmaker in the social sciences, is placing more emphasis on global issues. Changes include closer links in program areas and revitalization of area studies through encouragement of international scholarship. Regional directorships for some areas are being abandoned in favor of more fluid…

In an effort to revitalize Bennington College (Vermont), its president recently fired 26 of 79 faculty members, reduced and reorganized academic departments and divisions, replaced tenure with multi-year contracts, and recruited new faculty. Some claim violation of academic freedom. Enrollment has increased, particularly among first-time students,…

Hand-held computers can give medical students instant access to research findings and patient data. The machines, relatively inexpensive in comparison with laptops, have drawbacks, including small screens and tiny keyboards. Many find the machines very useful; others do not see enough benefit to learn the needed skills. Some professors and…

The job of a college or university planned-giving officer is to seek gifts that the college will receive after the donor's death. It requires substantial interpersonal skills, legal and financial knowledge, and understanding of donor attitudes. While dealing with potential donors requires great tact, the gifts are often substantial. (MSE)

First-year enrollments of minority (American Indian, Hispanic, and black) medical students declined from 1995 to 1996, endangering efforts to achieve a diverse physician workforce. Some institutions are recruiting minorities aggressively and making an added effort to support their persistence. Many minority medical students plan to work in poor…