Attempts to identify what makes a recommendation letter effective (and what does not). Presents several guidelines for different conditions and circumstances under which recommendations are frequently written. Concludes by suggesting not to write a letter if the writer cannot put him/herself in the place of the candidate, because the writer's…

Reasons are given for media myopia about higher education, and suggestions are made for improving news media perceptions: (1) using personalities to enhance the university's image; (2) establishing a program for making faculty expertise available to the media; (3) emphasizing solutions, not problems; and (4) taking risks. (MSE)

An eight-step plan to help new school executives identify the powerful people, groups, and issues in their communities. (MLF)

A managerial process for enhancing the image and public reputation of a higher education institution is outlined. It consists of five stages: market research; data analysis and market positioning; communication of results and recommendations to the administration; development of a global image program; and impact evaluation. (MSE)

Many higher education institutions have allowed market fragmentation by permitting their names to be used in many forms and many ways. Specific techniques can be used to discover the power and value of the institutional name, identify what it communicates, and learn how to use it to convey identity effectively. (MSE)

A process for assessing and changing a college or university image is outlined. Steps include image assessment through any of several methodologies; identification of current problems, threats, and opportunities; formulation of the desired image; communication of the image with the public; and implementation and corrective action when necessary.…

President Richard M. Cyert of Carnegie Mellon University set establishing national visibility as a university-wide goal six years ago. The public relations office developed a hard-driving program centered on national media coverage. This program is described. (MLW)

Although nearly all the world's cultures value philanthropy, few have a recent history of giving to education. If colleges and universities make the effort to motivate their international constituents today, these alumni, families, and friends can have a significant impact on the institution's future. The first step is for institutions to examine…

A school fund-raising drive for a young cancer victim at Twality Junior High School in Tigard, Oregon, became a legal hassle with the involvement of a professional fund-raising organization being investigated for mishandling funds. Advises making a thorough background check before letting anyone take custody of funds raised through the school.…

Student admission criteria and a college's advising and recruitment efforts are viewed from the perspective of a growing higher education establishment trying to attract students. A student selection model is proposed, derived from an "innovation-decision process" (Rogers and Shoemaker), which focuses on applicant behavior and decision-making…

Discusses strategies for increasing long-term administrative support of experiential college programs, including identifying client groups, establishing program credibility through outside sources, developing alliances within the institution, adapting to the institutional context, working with members of the institution to help achieve their…

Describes the way in which Wilfrid Laurier University (Ontario), an institution that had worked hard to improve its programs and reputation, addressed a disappointing ranking in a national news magazine. In cooperation with other educators, administrators, and institutional researchers, the university undertook a successful project to have the…

In award programs designed to honor exemplary college teaching, common problems include selection procedures and criteria, bias toward popularity, competition versus collaboration, questionable incentives, and use of special awards to replace continuing rewards. An effective teaching awards program will pass three tests of selection validity,…

School boards should recognize that school administrators steer away from boards that (1) are consistently divided, (2) do not respect confidentiality, (3) are close-minded, and (4) do not adhere to the line between setting school policy and administering policy. (MLF)

Examples of college community relations programs that have successfully bridged a sometimes widening gap between campuses and their surrounding communities include student participation in noise and party control, information campaigns, cultural and ethnic events, educational programs open to the community, economic impact surveys, and scientific…