A civil engineering professor would like to see civil engineers spend less time looking at broken structures and more time testing construction materials, and has founded a research center for that purpose. (MSE)

The emerging profession of public history includes archivists, business historians, and those in historic preservation. Increasing numbers of colleges are offering curricula in the field. (MSE)

A national study of 272 funds that gathered information on investments' market gains as well as interest and dividend income shows last year's increase in the value of the average endowment was the second-highest 1-year return recorded in the last 12 years. (MSE)

The June 30, 1985 and June 30, 1986 market values of 260 institutions' endowments, and their national rankings, are listed. (MSE)

The 1985 grant totals, 1986 grant totals, and 1986 assets are tabulated. (MSE)

Student and alumnae groups have mobilized to preserve Wheaton College as one of a dwindling number of single-sex women's institutions and are taking legal action to fight what they believe is a breach of faith. (MSE)

Students from 15 colleges compare their expectations of college with their experiences. (MSE)

The National Collegiate Athletic Association's proposed cost-cutting measures would affect almost all intercollegiate sports through reduction of practice and playing seasons, reduction in the number of scholarships, shortening of recruiting periods, or limits on the size of coaching staffs. However, few changes are proposed for football. (MSE)

Reform proposals for Japan's large higher education system include diminishing the trauma of university entrance examinations, strengthening the quality and diversity of undergraduate education, improving graduate school offerings, establishing a lifelong education system, and expanding the scope of international exchange programs. Politics are…

The belief that students aren't sufficiently involved in their education is one reason for the surge of interest in undergraduate research. Research programs can be important tools for recruiting students. The program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology is described. (MLW)

The Supreme Court ruled that Jews, Arabs, and people from other ethnic groups could file discrimination charges under the Civil Rights Act of 1866. Filing suit under the 1866 law allows complainants to sue for monetary damages and without the strict time limits set by the 1964 statute. (MLW)

Topnotch scholars, academic couples, and emphasis on new theories are transforming the English department at Duke University. Professors lured to Duke say joint appointments and interdisciplinary responsibilities are a big part of the attraction. Several members describe their work as left-leaning or Marxist. (MLW)

Derek Bok took issue with Education Secretary Bennett's charge that few universities were educating students about morality. Donald Kennedy criticized the Secretary's understanding of the demands on universities to both teach and to conduct research. (MLW)

Doubts among some teacher educators about progress toward reforming teacher education and problems in recruiting members of minority groups to the teaching profession are discussed. The establishment of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is described. (MLW)

The members of the College Football Association are determined that college football not be "held hostage" to correct the economic imbalance of college sports. Self-determination for Division I-A football, academic standards, and TV coverage are discussed. (MLW)