Review of American Association of University Professors cases (n=17) concerning college employment practices and policies during retrenchment draws a parallel between patterns of resource reallocation in higher education and redistribution of wealth and power in the larger society. Retrenchment is seen as a socially constructed not a…

A discussion of college and university retrenchment based on interviews with 40 faculty and 20 administrators at 2 research universities looks at programs threatened with termination as terrains contested among academic fields, where wide divergences in professional/discipline-based power become evident. Results appeared to have less to do with…

Examination of retrenchment clauses in the faculty union contracts at 42 colleges and universities focused on implications for tenure rights and the roles prescribed for faculty and administrators. Concepts of financial exigency and shared governance are highlighted. Contracts were found to provide faculty with a limited and reactive role during…

A case study of faculty morale at the University of Oregon as an example of a university experiencing an extended period of fiscal austerity found faculty morale, collegiality, and allegiance have been negatively affected by the inadequacy of financial resources; a history of chronic neglect by the Oregon legislature; and inequities among academic…

A study investigated the validity of eight indicators (acceptance rate, mean entrance test score, matriculants' class standing, faculty/student ratio, faculty background, instructional budget, retention, graduation rate) for assessing quality in higher education institutions. Indicators were more predictive of retention, graduation, and reputation…

Analysis of survey data from 6,096 students in 31 colleges and universities found that academic dishonesty was associated with the existence of a campus honor code, student perceptions of the certainty of being reported, severity of penalties, and cheating among peers. (Author/MSE)

A study investigated the internal transfer and articulation policies of 85 colleges and universities having both 2-year and 4-year programs. Results suggest little concern about intrainstitutional transfer and articulation, challenging ideas that such institutions enhance the continuity of the baccalaureate experience for two-year program…

Female graduate students with female major professors gave significantly higher ratings to the quality of the interactions with professors, and to professors' concern for their welfare, than did female students with male major professors. No differences emerged on other aspects of student-major professor interactions. (Author/MSE)

A review of literature pertaining to feedback in the fields of education, psychology, and organizational behavior identified 32 practices that may be effective in helping postsecondary teachers improve teaching. Three additional practices were noted by the author, based on personal experience. A model feedback process is outlined. (MSE)

Analysis of the relationship between performance data and changes in faculty size of 40 departments in a College of Arts and Sciences during a time of financial stress found that the rational choice model was applied to decision making. There was a systematic relationship between objective, evaluative data and policy decisions. (MLW)

Findings of a study show that relative salary increases for faculty and administrators were quite similar since the early 1970s. The small salary advantage for administrators appears to be attributable to gains in those positions whose work most clearly parallels work done in the private sector. (MLW)

This study tests whether the faculty vitality concept discriminates among professors in meaningful ways regarding their professional attitudes, practices, and achievements. It attempts to uncover factors that foster and sustain vitality among professors in small liberal arts colleges and builds upon faculty vitality research conducted at the…

The results of this longitudinal study support the hypothesis that, after controlling for background characteristics, women's colleges relate positively to a variety of measures of student satisfaction, perceived changes in skills and abilities, and educational aspirations and educational attainment. Contact with the faculty and administration is…

This article focuses on techniques some courts have utilized to balance the tensions between the aggrieved faculty members who allege discrimination--sex, race, national origin, handicap, age--in the promotion process and who seek disclosure of the peer review process and the colleges at which the charges are levied. (MLW)

A model of institutional adaptation to diversity emerged from case studies of 10 public universities. The model depicts state policy influencing the priorities and practices of work groups within a university. The resulting adaptation of organizational culture leads to improvements in participation and graduation for minorities. (Author/MSE)