An innovative orientation program for freshmen at the University of Puget Sound called Passages and Preludes mixes outdoor fun with academic work. They meet in small groups with faculty members who introduce them to college-level reading and writing. For another two days the students hike, sail, fish and canoe. (MLW)

The results of a study released in a book, "Prospects for Faculty in the Arts and Sciences: A Study of Factors Affecting Demand and Supply, 1987 to 2012" written by William G. Bowen and Julie Ann Sosa, are discussed. Institutions need to provide advice and counseling about careers in academe. (MLW)

Findings in "The Diverted Dream: Community Colleges and the Promise of Educational Opportunity in America, 1990-1985," a book based on interviews with 90 community college educators, are described. The authors suggest that two year colleges have allowed liberal arts transfer programs to deteriorate, and that they may become "virtual trade…

Two federal agencies proposed conflict-of-interest guidelines that would require scientists supported by government money to file financial-disclosure forms and universities to review those forms and eliminate conflicts of interest. The National Institutes of Health and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration proposed the…

Recruiting programs aimed at the spouses of potential faculty members are becoming more common at universities and colleges. Among the reasons most frequently cited for this phenomenon are: there are more dual-career couples; more women are attending graduate school, raising the likelihood of academic marriages; and competition for faculty. (MLW)

Twelve proposed priorities, drafted by the Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement, will dictate the aims and lines of inquiry of research centers whose contracts will expire next year. The new competition is especially large because the contracts for 14 of the 21 present centers expire. (MLW)

A table that shows the rates of default on Stafford Student Loans at non-profit colleges, universities, vocational and technical schools is presented. The default rate represents the proportion of borrowers required to begin paying off their loans in fiscal 1987 who failed to make payments in 1987 or 1988. (MLW)

The average scores of high-school students on the verbal section of the SAT fell slightly while students from minority groups continue to show improvement. Tables show SAT averages by sex, race, and ethnic group and ACT scores by sex, race and academic preparation. (MLW)

More and more colleges are building fancy residence halls and improving their grounds to stand out in an increasingly competitive market for freshmen. Colleges are also finding that they must upgrade their dining halls because students are going off campus for pizza and other fast food. (MLW)

Leaders of student governments at the Big Ten universities have formed an organization to solve common problems and revitalize student activism on their campuses. Issues include: combating racism, sexism, and homophobia; pushing universities to establish better ways to recruit and retain minority faculty and students; etc. (MLW)

Reforming Japanese higher education will not be easy. Stagnant budgets, rigid seniority systems, and a conservative bureaucracy that fears losing control all stand in the way of change. A series of changes proposed by the former Prime Minister are discussed. (MLW)

President George Bush's gathering of governors and cabinet members to discuss education brought together leaders of each party to establish goals for education but has also been criticized for its use for politics rather than impact. (MSE)

Ten years after a $105-million gift from a Coca-Cola magnate, the endowment's income is allowing Emory University to decide how and how much it wants to change, in contrast to the situation of other private research universities having to make hard fiscal choices. (MSE)

Last year's budget-trimming policies of Princeton University's new president confused and angered faculty, and handling of a faculty sexual misconduct case compounded campus discord. This fall has begun more quietly, marked by the president's efforts to emphasize positive movement. (MSE)

The federal government's College Assistance Migrant Program provides generous financial aid, counseling, tutoring, and encouragement to the children of migrant workers seeking a college education. While the program takes students only through the freshman year, most return. Both academic and social benefits are substantial. (MSE)