One way of supporting college instructors who wish to improve student assessment practices is to offer a framework for change that raises the public profile of assessment policy, acknowledges that there is room for improvement, and provides methodological and collegial support to help instructors formulate and address practical problems. A…

Argues that objectives-based planning, the most common and most institutionalized approach to college and university planning in the United Kingdom, is inappropriate for complex or large-scale planning. Presents 10 specific criticisms of this approach, and offers problem-based planning--formulating problems and seeking to find the impediments to…

The variety of definitions given to "academic freedom" is discussed, and their relevance, applicability, and consequences for various groups and individuals and concerning teaching, learning, research, and publication are examined. (MSE)

A rationale for developing national systems of postsecondary education in developing nations is outlined, and models for public policy, legislation, governance, and institutional administration are presented. (MSE)

Trends in academic staffing in British higher education, especially in universities and polytechnics, are examined, along with major staffing issues facing employing authorities and academic staff in the short term. Implications for employee relations in a period of institutional change and resources constraint are considered. (MSE)

This article examines the interplay between universities and governments, within the context of recent changes in the Australian higher education system. The Australian government is urged to fund institutions adequately and encourage diversity. Australian universities are urged to defend their autonomy and distinctive educational missions. (DB)

Trends in participation of socioeconomic groups in Australian higher education since 1852 are chronicled, with attention given to the policies promoting expansion and democratization, social attitudes associated with part- and full-time participation, the role of world events and related social change, religion and gender differences, and…

The model for analyzing the funding system used by the United Kingdom's Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council (PCFC) is described, focusing on the mechanisms through which tuition policy is developed. It is concluded that a linear programing approach is useful in analyzing the impact of funding policy on institutions. (MSE)

It is argued that part-time study has been a tradition in British higher education since the early nineteenth century but that expansion of access to higher education and changes in financing have shifted attention away from this phenomenon. Factors influencing the balance of part- and full-time enrollment are chronicled. (MSE)

Student admission criteria and a college's advising and recruitment efforts are viewed from the perspective of a growing higher education establishment trying to attract students. A student selection model is proposed, derived from an "innovation-decision process" (Rogers and Shoemaker), which focuses on applicant behavior and decision-making…

A survey of 33 Australian higher education institutions investigated the use of and attitudes toward awards given to faculty for teaching excellence. Patterns of award giving, benefits and problems associated with their use, and ideas for improving the design and value of award schemes are reported. (MSE)

A survey of 235 current and prospective British university students investigated the role of housing options (dormitory type, room type, density, facilities and features, services, costs) in student choice of university. Specific factors were ranked by preference. Results indicate significant differences between perceived ideals and choices made…

A survey of 82 deans in universities in the United Kingdom investigated the responsibility of senior administrators and faculty in goal-setting and resource allocation, responsibility for various administrative functions, expectations about these roles in the future, perceived decision-making style of senior administration, and areas perceived as…

A tongue-in-cheek look at methods used for curriculum development by many colleges and universities compares the process to two others: destruction of trees and trial by ordeal. Forests are destroyed to produce large quantities of paper for printing of curricula in many versions, followed by Kafkaesque committee scrutiny. (MSE)

With the proposed dissolution of the binary system of higher education in the United Kingdom, the central issue facing faculty unions with diverse memberships and interests is how their future relationships will be structured. Greater cooperation is seen as necessary for protection of the higher education teaching profession. (MSE)