A day-long prison simulation for a Wheaton College sociology class, held in a county jail that is generally used to house inmates while they are waiting to appear in court, is described. The course, which focuses on prisons, homelessness, and AIDS, aims to increase students' empathy for others. (MLW)

The Mardi Gras Coalition, a project of Tulane University's community-service organization, trains student volunteers to provide emergency medical and other services at New Orleans' Mardi Gras celebration. The students get desired practical medical experience and also help the community. (MSE)

Loan deferment and forgiveness programs, first developed at the Harvard Law School, are appearing at a variety of institutions. These schools are helping alumni who choose public interest careers to pay off educational loans. Public interest careers include working for schools, hospitals, the government, arts organizations, etc. (MLW)

At the University of South Carolina, John Gardner directs University 101, a three-credit course designed to teach freshmen some basic "college survival skills," such as study techniques, constructive ways to relate to peers and professors, and how to use career center. In the last few years, it has been copied by hundreds of colleges in…

Many institutions are taking freshman orientation more seriously by challenging students before they start classes and giving them a more thorough introduction to campus life than ever before. The biggest changes in orientation are occurring among community colleges. Some of the experiences at Georgia Tech are described. (MLW)

Five institutions are considering whether the job requirements that they have are having any impact on students' feelings about public-service work and what form that impact takes. All five are private, liberal-arts colleges that require students to hold jobs in exchange for low, or no, tuition. (MLW)