The ingredients of an academic program development plan, with special attention to the processes and criteria supporting decisions on program priorities, are delineated. External and internal inputs to decision-making are discussed and three case examples are given. Major considerations involved in integrating budgetary decisions are identified.…

A study that found a low relationship between state regulation and four measures of quality and success is described. The data suggest that the influences of financial and academic flexibility are statistically overwhelmed by other variables, expecially the relative generosity of state funding. (Author/MLW)

The relationship between transfer student interaction with faculty and intellectual growth is examined. The quality of the faculty-student relationship, both inside and outside the classroom, was significantly and positively related to two measures of self-perceived intellectual growth. (Author/MLW)

By terminating 26 degree programs, 3 departments, and 3 schools and colleges, the State University of New York at Albany generated a pool of resource for reallocation to programs with greater need and priority. The difficulties of accomplishing this and the lessons for other campuses are described. (Author/MLW)

Three questions about the relationships between campus autonomy and measures of faculty quality, student quality, and external funding are examined. The results suggest that changes in these measures of university quality are more influenced by state financial support than by state regulation. (Author/MLW)

A study at one research university investigated whether differences in departmental teaching and research climates are associated with differences in student outcomes. Results suggest departments with a balanced orientation toward research and teaching have the most favorable impact on students in terms of intellectual growth, disciplinary skills,…

Analysis of National Postsecondary Student Aid Study data for 11,000 students in loan programs at 1,400 institutions found borrowers with similar earned degrees, marital status, number of dependent children, showed similar levels of income/loan default, regardless of racial/ethnic group. Findings dispute national policy and suggest that campuses…

The research presented in this article examines the predictors of institutional commitment of first-year students at 28 two-year and 23 four-year public institutions. Previous research has demonstrated that institutional commitment is a strong predictor of college students' intent to persist, and ultimately student persistence itself (Braxton,…