A pilot research program to measure the academic qualities of undergraduate colleges has been announced by the Higher Education Research Institute of Los Angeles and the Council on Learning. The study will include a literature review, measures of institutional popularity among students, and reputational ratings of undergraduate departments. (JMD)

The National Academy of Education is described as a loose federation of prominent educational and social science researchers, which has never pretended to be a think tank or a lobbying organization. Its influence is indirectly felt through the prestige and quality research of its members. (MLW)

Wright College, part of a seven-college Chicago (Illinois) district, has a strong transfer program central to its institutional identity, and because of its role in the multicampus system, its faculty and administrative commitment to the transfer function, and its student needs and preferences. The college's historical role and reputation as a…

In each of the past three years, a dozen or so public and private colleges have elevated themselves to universities, less because of substantial institutional changes than to highlight institutional vision and communicate prestige, in turn improving fund raising. Many have gradually added master's degree programs. Private colleges can change…

Explores the issue of privacy focusing on informational privacy and how it could be jeopardized by new technologies. Provides contexts of privacy and discusses privacy and celebrity in U.S. culture, privacy abuses, and privacy as a common value. Includes teaching activities by Michelle Parrini and Jennifer Kittlaus. (CMK)

A school fund-raising drive for a young cancer victim at Twality Junior High School in Tigard, Oregon, became a legal hassle with the involvement of a professional fund-raising organization being investigated for mishandling funds. Advises making a thorough background check before letting anyone take custody of funds raised through the school.…

An institution that exists primarily for its own sake--that identifies itself primarily in terms of its resources and reputation--compromises its capacity as an instrument for improving society. Colleges need to transcend their institutional egos and concern themselves with their impact on students and society. (MLW)

A survey of first-year students in an association-sponsored management program found students were drawn to the program by business or personal contacts, program reputation, course practicality, and program length. They ranked the program as just below a university management degree and somewhat higher than a non-management degree. (Author/MSE)

After an unusual amount of negative publicity, California State University at Chico surveyed 500 freshmen and 250 junior transfer students and 500 students admitted but not enrolled concerning their perceptions of the publicity and reasons for attending or not attending. Results suggest the publicity had little influence. (MSE)

Contrary to assumptions of the supergame model, agents in exchange situations will normally not be perfectly informed about past behavior of their partners. Moreover, they will generally be in a position to choose their partners. The formal model of this article, reputation formation, attempts to take account of these facts. (JBJ)

Maintains that early sociological studies of U.S. higher education noted that despite a widespread ideology of egalitarianism, both individuals and departments were highly stratified. Reports on a study of changes in the structure of the stratification system in sociology over the past 30 years. (CFR)

Research on voluntary college mergers led to development of a model predicting the probability of a merger with 80-100 percent accuracy. The model was based on fundamental governing board concerns about mission, risk, and reputation. Results reveal the merger negotiation process is dynamic and reveals characteristics of successful approaches. (MSE)

The concepts of "image" and "image management" in higher education are relatively new outcomes of an overall debate about accountability. Competition for faculty, students, and resources demands that colleges and universities promote their faculty's good work. Public support and trust are critical to funding and understanding…

The 28 institutions currently sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association for violation of association regulations are listed. For each institution, the specific violations and penalties are noted. Violations are largely in recruitment, financial aid, benefits to athletes, and program administration and penalties are in competition,…

Although sociologists are concerned about trends among African-American males, Morehouse College (Georgia), the United States' only all-male black college, has developed a reputation for its stable environment, positive role models, and commitment to producing well-educated citizens and leaders. (MSE)