Before committing to the expense of consultancy, the college administrator needs to consider several basic questions: "what is the problem?" and "what is keeping the staff from solving the problem?" Certain kinds of problems are more likely than others to benefit from consultant expertise. (MSE)

A way to assess and improve organizational effectiveness is discussed, with a focus on factors that inhibit successful organizational performance. The basic assumption is that it is easier, more accurate, and more beneficial for individuals and organizations to identify criteria of ineffectiveness (faults and weaknesses) than to identify criteria…

Consultants and higher education clients have worked together for many years. The rapidly changing landscape of American higher education has produced continuing evolution in consulting practice and in the areas consultants serve. To use consultants effectively, institutions must learn about themselves, the consulting process, and available…

This paper describes a recent program of organizational awareness and development (OAD) initiated for a university program council. It describes the nature, purposes, and objectives of OAD and its role as a third party. It also provides an example of applied communication research, divided into four phases: (1) diagnostic, (2) feedback, (3)…

Techniques for managing conflict between colleges were used as a context for evaluating interinstitutional goal setting. The specific study objective was to identify techniques used to stimulate and control creative dissension that is an essential part of significant cooperative endeavors. A questionnaire was pilot tested with 40 members of a…

Discusses needs assessment as a problem-focusing strategy and examines several definitions of need. Considers five purposes for assessing needs, and presents six guiding principles for the work of a needs assessment team. (RC)

Corporate strategies that can be used in continuing nursing education programs are discussed, based on the Regional Action for Continuing Education in Nursing Education project. Attention is focused on strategies employed at Southern State University (SSU). A practical planning method was used to guide the process of corporate strategy formulation…

Boundary spanning in colleges as evidenced through the activity of offices of institutional research was studied. Literature in organization theory suggests that those institutions that adapt most rapidly to changes in their external environment are those that establish formal structures (boundary spanning roles) for monitoring that environment.…

Interpersonal communications and problem solving is critical and pressing. This aspect is the focus of teacher education programs in which teachers examine their interactions and develop new modes of communications and new skills for problem solving. (Author)

Eight steps to help manage time are discussed: analyze time, identify time problems, self-assessment, set goals and priorities, develop action plans, carry out plans, face time problems, and analyze each day. Telephone tricks and ways to manage meetings are described. (MLW)

This article describes a six-week course for design students called "Needs Awareness and Design" which stresses the development of creative thinking skills. Brainstorming is recommended for identifying many ideas, and synectics is stressed for actual problem solving. (DB)

The use of blue ribbon commissions for higher education planning is discussed, and 25 reports produced by blue ribbon commissions in 23 states between January 1981 and March 1986 are reviewed. Blue ribbon commissions are established for a fixed duration to study a specific problem and are composed of eminent individuals from a variety of…

Factors that contributed to the demoralization of junior faculty at a university with 214 teaching and professional staff were identified and change strategies were recommended. A consultant held interviews with 65 current and 8 former staff members. Themes that emerged from the interviews were used to develop suggestions for improving specific…

A needs assessment document, that describes in detail what an advancement program will require of its computer support system, is discussed. This document can create a framework for planning, help force decisions about policies and procedures, and present alternatives and recommendations to senior management. (MLW)

The problem analysis technique can help colleges understand students' salient needs in a competitive market. A preliminary study demonstrates the usefulness of the approach for developing strategies aimed at maintaining student loyalty and improving word-of-mouth promotion to other prospective students. (Author/MSE)