This chapter describes the themes that emerged in this volume with attention to important policy implications on the federal, state, and institutional levels. Recommendations for future research are provided.

This chapter examines the underlying motivations behind why institutions and organizations decide to apply particular policies and practices. By applying a lens of five diffusion models--learning, imitation, competition, normative, and coercion--to understand these motivations, decision makers and implementers will make better choices for…

Most academic disciplines promulgate codes of ethics that serve as public statements of professional norms of their membership. These codes serve both symbolic and practical purposes, stating to both members and the larger public what a discipline's highest ethics are. This article explores what scholarly society codes of ethics could say about…

What is institutional research (IR)? One of the most widely definition of the institutional research is by Joe Saupe, who emphasized institutional research as a set of activities that support institutional planning, policy formation, and decision making. Institutional researchers and IR functions are embedded in the offices of strategic planning,…

Many college and university faculties have adopted codes of faculty responsibilities and self-regulation. Firsthand advice on creating a code precedes an example of one: the new University of California Policy on Faculty Conduct and the Administration of Discipline. (Editor/PG)

Recent experience in higher education indicates that modeling can be used effectively without compromising academic values. College and university administrators are finding that models can be learning devices as well as decision-making aids. Potential benefits of modeling and techniques and delivery systems are described. (Author/MLW)

The state with the largest public higher education system in the nation takes important steps toward establishing a statewide accountability model.

Stresses that the goal setting function can take place at a variety of levels and involve any number of different curricular, instructional or administrative frameworks. Suggests a set of agenda items for colleges which seek to engage in a future-oriented process of setting goals. (Author/PG)

Financial policies are viewed as buffers that protect the core activities of a college from fluctuation and that maximize the return of investments in all areas. Assumptions necessary for making financial policies are detailed and a strategy is outlined for developing financial policies that mesh with institutional plans. (Author/MLW)

Methods by which the college, after 90 years, began long-range planning are described along with how it moved to the cyclical model after 12 more years. (Author/LBH)

Asserts that given an environment in which legal standards may be ambiguous and usage is increasing rapidly, responsible higher education institutions need to develop and implement information system policies that establish clear guidelines for university faculty, students, and staff. Discusses issues that should be addressed in such policies. (EV)

Contends that members of an institution must agree on common purposes if it is to survive with significance. Questions to ask are, "To whom is the institution responsible?" and, "What should we be doing to carry out our responsibility to these groups?" (JT)

Among all the tasks of the admissions officer in developing a successful marketing program, the hardest may be that of convincing other college administrators of the importance of admissions to the institution's survival. Discussed are long-range planning, budgeting, staff selection and training, and implementing a plan. (Author/LBH)

A formal environmental scanning system designed to identify emerging issues, events, or trends threatening or bringing opportunity to an institution is discussed that uses a committee to systematically collect and analyze data from a variety of sources. (MSE)

Five guidelines to increase significance and avoid simplistic solutions and reacting to enrollment and budgetary declines are suggested: develop system for alerting policy-makers to dangers, remember that quality attracts, look outside higher education for guidance, maintain a "pruning" mentality, and realize the need to work for significant…