In light of recent debate over the censorship of articles, college alumni publications editors are seeking to establish professional guidelines for publication content and clearer lines of authority within institutional administration. They feel alumni magazines should be interesting and reflect current issues on campus, even when controversial.…

Discusses the value of having a good library media-center newsletter that ensures consistent positive visibility and suggests topics to consider, including requesting teacher input on collection development, explaining computer software, book talks, copyright issues, current Web sites, biographies of new teachers, and media-center projects. (LRW)

Suggests that to reach those responsible for funding, librarians need to be more assertive in making the school library's role and services understood. Discusses maintaining visibility, using every opportunity to tout new materials and services, having credibility and knowing the collection, making libraries comfortable and accessible, and…

Community-based research projects, a minute portion of the total amount government, industry, and foundations spend money on, are beginning to generate attention among policymakers because of their power to meet the needs of ordinary citizens, especially the disadvantaged. Currently, the incentives for researchers and institutions to pursue such…

Today's college presidents are often faulted for not speaking out on important public policy issues as their predecessors did, but the circumstances surrounding contemporary presidents make it difficult for them to take personal stands. Results of a survey of 167 presidents indicate when and why presidents take public stands and illuminate the…

Examination of popular publications that rate and rank collegiate undergraduate education reveals several methodological concerns. The challenges for consumers and researchers are to know what shortcomings exist in these ratings, what impact the shortcomings have on the rankings, and what methodological changes might improve the evaluations.…

Key elements of public relations that may apply to the university research environment and lead to greater financial support for research activities are outlined, and examples from the private sector are used to explore the relationships between public relations, organizational growth, and financial stability. Practical suggestions are offered for…

When introducing a new middle-school mathematics curriculum, an Iowa school district anticipated parents' misgivings, addressed them early, and made parents into allies. Planners addressed parental concerns by exuding confidence and honesty, treating parents as equal partners, defining accountability, communicating effectively, carefully selecting…

Offers guidelines for dealing with the media, which include creating a media plan and understanding the news media. Describes the three most frequently encountered media situations--the face-to-face interview, the unexpected encounter, and the press conference/news release. (LMI)

Describes successful public relations efforts in 23 Illinois public libraries. Highlights include fundraising efforts; innovative program design; community involvement; media coverage; referendum promotions; student reading initiatives; and local business involvement. (LRW)

Describes the $17-million sports complex being constructed in Topeka, Kansas to serve the city's 3 high schools and 125,000 residents. Describes how the school district successfully "pitched" a major sports project by assuaging the concerns of special-interest groups and garnering the support of skeptical taxpayers. (EV)

Camps should have crisis management plans. Steps to formulating a plan include involving appropriate off-site agencies, identifying potential threats, gathering resources, crafting an appropriate response, training via role-playing, managing incoming and outgoing information, and writing it down. Sidebars present resources, successful response…

Explains how local PTAs can help with school crisis intervention, focusing on dealing with the public and the media; spreading the word about the National PTA's programs and positions via public relations programs; what to do during a crisis; and how to prepare for press conferences and prepare necessary materials. Finally, the paper discusses the…

Principals deal with a range of people, issues, and forces represented by individuals, factions, and special-interest groups. Principals must develop a framework; analyze problems quickly, develop alternative plans, make sound decisions, and communicate resolutions clearly and sensitively to all parties. A political-awareness inventory is…

A principal with a facilitative leadership style explains how his high school in Colorado Springs transformed itself from undesirable to noteworthy via required community service, partnerships with businesses, participative governance, and positive media relations. Staff sought grants and outside resources to fund the transformation. (MLH)