John McCain's announcement in late August that Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska would be his running mate got the attention of the news media, to say the least. The public heard more than enough from pundits, politicos, and pollsters. But they heard little from another group with opinions aplenty: scholars who specialize in how the news and…

Johns Hopkins University (Maryland) is challenging the rights of a biotechnology company to infringe on the university's patents on an invention; the company is challenging the patents' validity. The case is seen as representative of issues concerning technology transfer in which universities, government funding, and private industry interact. The…

Various theories are circulated concerning Stanford University's (California) controversy over use of federal research funds. Issues involved include billing the government for inappropriate charges, the rapid growth of problems, public relations failures, and poor administration. The president's role in addressing the crisis is a central concern.…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This February 2, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "Who's in Charge Here?" (Fish, Stanley); (2) "Conference Man…

To demand trustees take a moral position on a political issue asserts the primacy of political over other social and cultural values and denies the right of people of diverse views to pursue a non-political institution's interests cooperatively. (MSE)

The International Business Machines Corporation offered unlimited travel budgets and sabbatical stipends to six college faculty called "Consulting Scholars." People issues dominate their presentations. (MLW)

In light of recent debate over the censorship of articles, college alumni publications editors are seeking to establish professional guidelines for publication content and clearer lines of authority within institutional administration. They feel alumni magazines should be interesting and reflect current issues on campus, even when controversial.…

Colleges and universities are finding it difficult to mold administrative policy concerning freedom of speech on campus. Even when speech or harassment codes mirror federal guidelines for antidiscrimination policy, controversy is common. Potential infringement on rights to free speech is the central issue. (MSE)

Faculty, staff, and students at San Francisco State University (California), most of whose lives are touched by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), have responded by rallying to help AIDS sufferers in need, by including AIDS information in courses, offering confidential testing, and becoming sensitized to gay and related issues. (MSE)