This article examines the constitutionality of educational institutions using mandatory student fees to support controversial student groups, focusing on the implications of the Smith v. Regents of the University of California, in which the California Supreme Court held the assessment of mandatory fees unconstitutional if those fees support a…

Discusses the role of the courts in educational policymaking and educational quality improvement. It examines the courts' success in using state constitutions to mandate educational policy, the influence of the Goals 2000 initiative in school financing, the factors attributed to the state's increased legal exposure, and the court's impact in…

The Office of Civil Rights' proposed ruling of minority-specific college scholarships as violating federal civil rights law, except when implemented as a result of court-ordered plans, is discussed and criticized. Legislative language, case law concerning minority-specific plans, and the history of postsecondary desegregation are examined.…

Court cases (n=240) involving medical college faculty, medical schools, and academic medical centers are categorized in three broad areas: general administration, clinical affairs, and research issues. Trends in number of cases, issues, individuals involved, and results are analyzed. It is concluded that schools should take steps to avoid risk of…

Effects of an applicant's information management strategy while responding to a job application item requesting illegal candidate information and moderating effects of applicant sex and position were studied for 12 hypothetical school job applicants with 108 graduate student raters. The interactions of strategy, sex, and position have important…

Sexually oriented conduct in educational institutions is no longer viewed as harmless loutishness best ignored but as an unlawful act that can result in litigation and severe penalties. On college campuses, the best method for addressing harassment includes formation of appropriate policy, complaint procedures, and a program of prevention. (MSE)

Describes the rationale behind and creation of male academies as part of the Detroit (Michigan) public schools. Discusses opposition on the grounds of lack of educational equity for female students. Considers reasons why the academies will not compromise educational equity. (SLD)

To maximize the effectiveness of their campus security systems while minimizing the institution's exposure to liability, campus administrators must understand the legal context in which their police or security personnel are operating as agents of authority. Some of these policy and behavior issues are explained. (MSE)

The recent Supreme Court refusal to hear a case appeal may prevent some church-related colleges from hiring only faculty sharing their beliefs. The earlier decision, involving hiring in a private elementary/secondary school, held that the institution was primarily secular, not religious by nature. (MSE)

Presents eight case studies of lawyers who work for legal aid societies or provide free legal services to poor people. Includes quotes by the attorneys describing specific cases and why they became involved in providing free legal counsel. (CFR)

Examination of retrenchment clauses in the faculty union contracts at 42 colleges and universities focused on implications for tenure rights and the roles prescribed for faculty and administrators. Concepts of financial exigency and shared governance are highlighted. Contracts were found to provide faculty with a limited and reactive role during…

Court litigation concerning the dismissal of undergraduate and graduate social work students who are academically, behaviorally, or ethically unsuitable to practice as social workers is reviewed. Substance abuse cases are included. Guidelines for educators for developing behavioral and ethical criteria for student suitability are offered.…

Discusses the copyright implications of the practice in some academic libraries of converting reserve materials to electronic format to make more copies available to patrons. Issues considered include fair use, public display, remote availability, character of use, and substantiality of copying. (seven references/notes) (EA)

Analyzes an urban Ohio school board's decision regarding potential employment of a business firm instead of a traditional superintendent, highlighting the board's selection process and the nature of board/community interactions. The study used an interview guide format with five board members. The board chose not to hire a Minnesota-based firm for…

Explores the politics of education in the case of the establishment and reauthorization of a New York school district to serve the special education students of the Hasidic Jewish community of Kiryas Joel. The case of Kiryas Joel illustrates the political power of a single-interest special interest group. (SLD)