In the summer of 2006, several major news outlets gave prominent coverage to a sociological study with a grim message: Americans' social isolation had increased radically since the 1980s. Whereas in 1985, Americans reported that, on average, they had 2.94 friends or family members with whom they discussed important matters, by 2004 that number had…

This article describes the result of a recent report from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) which has raised the hackles of some college officials who charge that the data are incomplete and that the NCAA has clouded the real fiscal value of sports programs. The study revealed the growing financial support colleges provide to…

Tables on overall appropriations and how the states rank on seven scales (appropriations for 1985-1986 per capita, per $1000 of personal income, two-year change, 10-year change, two-year change less inflation, and 10-year change less inflation) are provided. (MLW)

The last time Virginia Commonwealth University had to prepare for an accreditation review, the school's officials found themselves overwhelmed with data. The university's accreditor, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, was asking for more information than ever before about how much students were learning: grades, test scores, written…

Presents analysis, graphs, and tables on trends in enrollment of foreign students at U.S. higher education institutions, noting a 2 percent increase last year. Identifies institutions with the largest number of foreign students, top countries of student origin, student characteristics, and number of foreign students by state. Notes the need for a…

Presents analysis, graphs, and tables on trends in study abroad by American college students, noting a 13 percent increase last year. Identifies institutions with the largest numbers of students studying abroad, the top destinations, student characteristics, and program characteristics. Ascribes the increased demand to the strong U.S. economy,…

Earth is a repository of data on climatic changes from its deep-time history. Article discusses the collection and study of these data to predict future climatic changes, the need to create national study centers for the purpose, and the necessary cooperation between different branches of science in climatic research.

This article reports that several colleges and universities like Purdue University are mining data they have about students to try to improve retention. The institutions analyze years' worth of data on which students did well and which did poorly, and what variables--whether they be SAT scores, financial-aid status, or attendance at the dining…

Tables showing the estimated student aid for 1986-87 in each state in undergraduate, and graduate and professional categories, and by need-based and non-need-based assistance are presented. (MLW)

Figures published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) indicate that colleges and universities are engaging in longer capital campaigns while relying on fewer donors. The report identifies 18 colleges that currently fail to comply with CASE standards. A chart summarizes results of fund-raising campaigns at 138 U.S.…

Reports on a decline in fraternity membership, which is ascribed to changing demographics, bad publicity about alcohol abuse and hazing incidents, and changing student values. Graphs illustrate fraternity membership trends at six universities, including 10-year comparisons in membership, academic performance, and pledges; and average number of men…

A table shows tuition and fees for 315 colleges for the 1986-87 and 1987-88 academic years, including the additional tuition that many public institutions charge to out-of-state students. The figures were compiled by the College Scholarship Service. (MLW)

A follow-up study by officials of the Council for Aid to Education uncovered a major error in the Internal Revenue Service's 1987 corporate-contributions data. The new figures, representing contributions from 1986 to 1989, reflect a continued but less dramatic growth in corporate philanthropy. (MLW)

A table showing the results of the Survey of Earned Doctorates by the National Research Council is presented, with degree fields broken down by such variables as time to degree, sex, citizenship, marital status, planned postdoctoral study or employment. (MLW)

Graduation rates for scholarship athletes and all students at 307 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I institutions are tabulated. Data are for students who enrolled in 1990-91 and 1991-92 and graduated within six years, and are broken out for white men, black men, white women, and black women. (MSE)