In modern and well-structured universities, ethics centers are playing a key role in hosting, organizing, and managing activities to enrich and guide students' ethical thinking and analysis. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of the goals, activities, and administration of ethics centers, as well as their role in promoting ethical thinking…

The University of Wisconsin (Madison) has developed a pilot Environmental Stewardship Initiative, a mechanism for incorporating environmental stewardship into the university's operations and curriculum. The complex and dynamic campus ecosystem serves as a model community and field station for student research on natural history and institutional…

Research in two inner-city areas of Phoenix (Arizona) and its surrounding suburbs documents the importance of analyzing a metropolitan area's economy from the perspective of industry clusters before determining economic development policies and strategies for urban revitalization. In addition, the project reveals lessons about the role of…

Internet2, a consortium effort of over 100 universities, is investing in upgrading campus and national computer network platforms for such applications as digital libraries, collaboration environments, tele-medicine, and distance-independent instruction. The project is described, issues the project intends to address are detailed, and ways in…

The potential for reconciling state formula funding of higher education with institutional planning needs is discussed. It is proposed that states invent a financing mechanism that funds a fair share of the strategic aims of each public college and university, yet allows the state to invest in a few priorities. New Jersey's experiment with such an…

Carleton and Saint Olaf Colleges (Minnesota) combined their food purchasing power to support area farmers and bring about the use of less chemical- and energy-intensive agriculture. The initiative was designed by students to encourage a sustainable agricultural economy. It has involved other colleges through a regional conference. (Author/MSE)

This article argues that employee health promotion programs shift emphasis to "managed health" and health care demand and that colleges and universities may find them both cost effective and consistent with the teaching, research, and community missions of their institutions. Programs at Harvard, Duke, and Stanford universities are…

A university president and cochair of the Knight Foundation Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics looks at recent efforts to reform and renew college sports, the effects of those efforts, and directions for the future. Another president and chair of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's presidents' commission offers their perspective on…

Funded with money that it saves the university, the ombudsman's office at the University of Kansas researches environmental problems and works with administration and staff to influence cost-effective reduction of the institution's environmental impacts. By offering incentives and requiring conservation projects to be revenue-neutral, it has…

By purchasing locally grown foods, Hendrix College (Arkansas) has found it can offer better nutrition, cut environmental damage, and spur economic development. The Local Food Project has reduced the amount of food purchased out of state from 90-70 percent, and is aiming for 50 percent in three years. Student participation is integral. (Author/MSE)

The challenge of bringing information literacy to university students is greater than at small colleges. A survey of librarians at large universities revealed unique problems and instructional solutions. The Brigham Young University (Utah) program, in which information literacy is integrated into every academic division, offers one example. (MSE)

Use of energy-conservation technology and utility rebates can yield millions of dollars in savings and significant environmental benefits. The University of Rochester (New York) will halve its energy use within five years. Its experiences with consumption management, supply management, and student involvement may be useful to other colleges.…

Discussions about the social responsibility of businesses have led to questions about the social responsibility of academic institutions. As governmental support of community activities appears to be lessening, activities by educational institutions in support of local communities becomes more essential. New developments in the linkage between…