The purpose of this research is to employ a theoretical perspective to better understand and recognize the role of institutional culture within the civic responsibility movement in higher education. A three-part conceptual framework (Swidler, 1986) is used to investigate the influence of culture on civic responsibility at two research…

Faculty are the critical labor element in the pursuit of the economic goals of the community colleges, yet they are not central to institutional decision-making. Their views and values are not consistent with the goals and actions of their colleges. Instead, these goals and actions are aligned with business and industry, directed by government and…

Organizational analysts argue that formal environmental assessments should be integrated into strategic planning. Guidelines for establishing formal environmental assessment in educational institutions are presented, evaluated, and refined based on the experimental effort of the University of Minnesota. (Author/MLW)

Describes a project at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to illustrate the conflicts of doing research on social problems in a university setting. It was concluded that doing research on social problems affects the conduct of science as it relates to control and self-determination over research. (Editor/PG)

The agencies surveyed influence faculty to improve their instruction through workshops, seminars, courses, newsletters, other publications, and individual consultations. Unfortunately, the agencies view their role as service-oriented and take a passive approach to instructional improvement. (Editor/PG)

Concludes that: (1) the biases inherent in the system of research support encourage analytical excesses; (2) major historical forces impinging on the postsecondary educational system will create strains; (3) previous research is of limited usefulness; and (4) large-scale sectoral models only provide the appearance of rationality to policy action.…

The existence, size, purpose, and organization and administration of internally sponsored research programs in colleges and universities are documented in this study. It is shown that the vast majority of these programs exist as a centralized function of the institution. Support ranges from under $1,000 to over $500,000. (Author/LBH)

Those responsible for leadership in today's colleges and universities are those engaged in institutional research and those who make and manage the budgets. (HS)

Explores the adoption and use of Native American-related nicknames and symbols by three U.S. universities: the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Miami University of Ohio, and Eastern Michigan University. Historical case studies review how the nicknames were chosen, how they evolved, and why the decision either to keep or replace the…

Focuses on future trends in postsecondary education and their implications for institutional planners and researchers. The four projections are: increased enrollment of the nontraditional student, rise of alternative educational institutions, decreased undergraduate vocational preparation, and diminution of compulsory education. (Editor/PG)

Presents methodology, philosophy, findings, and conclusions of a study designed to increase physical plant and institutional efficiency and to identify ways of broadening student appeal through innovative programs. Advocates use by educational administrators of metamarketing procedures used: multidimensional scaling and other attitude research…

In many institutions, increasing numbers of offices are becoming involved in institutional research activity. A theoretical perspective, derived from theories of power, information, and change in organizations, is proposed for better understanding this phenomenon. (Author/MLW)

The academic community and the support base for higher education are seen as two seemingly opposing forces. Institutional research is proposed as a third force which, in its role of intermediary and articulator, can re-energize the planning-management systems of higher education. (Article originally published in 1972.) (AF)