A report issued by the American Association of University Professors' Committee on Historically Black Institutions and the Status of Minorities in the Profession is critical of the lack of state support for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and contends that "United States versus Fordice" will result in elimination of…

In a number of states, legislatures are successfully opposing governors on budget cuts that would adversely affect colleges and universities, even in states where relations between academics and politicians have been strained recently. (MSE)

The use of selective, as contrasted with across-the-board, state funding as an incentive for program improvement in higher education institutions is discussed, and the experiences of four states (New Jersey, Florida, Ohio, and Tennessee) are examined for forces that work against the long-term feasibility of this approach. (Author/MSE)

Examines intrastate equality in educational resource allocation from 1980 to 1987, using school district data on instructional expenditures per student to calculate Gini and Theil coefficients of variation for 1980 and 1987 and make appropriate comparisons. A majority of states have a more equal distribution of instructional expenditures in 1987…

The Southern Regional Education Board's Commission on Educational Equality comments on the role of higher education in the U.S. economy, the decline in per-student spending for higher education, and the need for institutional change. A greater focus on the needs of customers, including students, industry, and government, is recommended. (KRN)

Examines the move toward federal constitutional rights for minority language populations and the trade-off considerations of implementing such a move. It is argued that minority language populations benefit from maintenance of decentralized language policies and that state bureaucratic agencies are more protective of language minority rights than…

The use of preaward agreements between the industry and the university collaborating to seek external funding, particularly from government sources, is examined. The agreements describe the parties' obligations in seeking funding and lay the groundwork for subsequent research agreements. Elements of such agreements are discussed to raise awareness…

A recent report states that financial aid to college students rose 7.9 percent from 1990-91 to 1991-92, about the same rate as college costs. However, slow growth in income has created more need. Data on sources of student aid, aid recipients and average awards for selected programs, and trends in aid sources from 1982-83 to 1991-92 are charted.…

Performance funding reemerged in the 1990s as a state budgetary method for complementing or replacing other funding strategies for public colleges to better promote and respond to specific policy concerns. It has the potential to correct some of the apparent flaws in traditional budgeting but is easier to define than to put into operation. (MSE)

Idaho has improved its historically poor career and technical education programs by changing priorities and increasing state support. A large grant from the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation is being used to develop professional-technical academies and to train career and technical teachers. (JOW)

If a charter-school act permits too much freedom from state regulations, it may create private schools ineligible for state funding. In "Council of Organizations about Parochiaid v. Governor," the Michigan courts ruled on levels of state control necessary for charter schools to be considered public. At least 13 states would fail the…

In "Rosenberger versus University of Virginia," the U.S. Supreme Court held that the university violated students' free speech rights by withholding financial support for a student publication, based on its religious orientation. This case explored the intersection of two powerful constitutional protections--free speech and the…

The new governors of five states (Alabama, California, Iowa, Massachusetts, South Carolina), all of whom are expected to influence state higher education policy, are profiled. Information includes election result summaries, proposed initiatives and policy directions concerning college and university financing and student aid, and challenges faced…

Discusses contemporary issues in universities, including increased access to education, the state as the main patron, and new educational environments. Stresses the centrality of fundamental values: developing critical minds, sharing knowledge widely, supporting economic growth, and serving as society's conscience. (VWC)

Describes how delivering on the promises of broad-based merit scholarships has been neither easy nor cheap. Problems with such programs, which offer scholarship money to in-state students who meet modest academic requirements, include skyrocketing costs, intense popularity with the public which makes change difficult, legal challenges, and many…