Donors to higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa have urged universities to undertake strategic planning, including restructuring of relationships with government. Such plans must have a different structure and focus than traditional strategic plans, and include determination of academic priorities and leadership. It is important for African…

Examination of economic and demographic factors suggests that 1990s fiscal crises in higher education coincided with a cyclical economic downturn. Structural shifts in political and economic environments also created different challenges to maintaining excellence in teaching, research and service than in previous cyclical downturns. In response,…

In an interview, a school district director of communication shares his experiences about the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in Ontario and offers timely advice for practitioners, including a proactive communications team and coordination of information with state and local health, police, and fire departments. (MLF)

Key areas school districts have used in making the decision to purchase technology applications include: what the district hopes to achieve by purchasing the system; how the proposed system will support the district's vision and help achieve the strategic plan; what the effect of the proposed solution will be on staffing; and what type of timeline…

Discusses various aspects of public library funding, including strategic planning; understanding the needs of the community; community-based fundraising; local tax support; financial management, including identifying costs for services and maximizing the use of current resources; and identifying funding sources. (LRW)

Describes the development of a distance education graduate course at Arizona State University; the course is text-based, supported by the Internet and computer conferencing. Discusses course planning and design factors, implementation strategies, technical considerations, students' evaluations, and instructor perspectives. (AEF)

Describes how the media center at Mt. Bethel Elementary School (Marietta, Georgia) was redesigned to make better use of electronic resources. Discusses the initial preparations and the remodelling process. Outlines the four components of managing change--vision, planning, funding and implementation. (AEF)

Provides a framework for student services professionals that can be used as a philosophical rationale for making decisions and implementing practical budget strategies. Outlines models for student-centered universities and colleges and for restructuring student services. Examines holistic student assessment and how to redesign learning-oriented…

Provides an overview of current and of future budgetary conditions in higher education and their relation to trends, emerging issues, budget influence on restructuring, and relationships to larger institutional issues. Suggests ways the budgeting process can lead to creative and responsive restructuring. Emphasizes reallocation, retrenchment, and…

Describes the status of two-year college development in the 1950s, tracing events that led up to the overwhelming demand for two-year colleges in the following decades. Asserts that if a college is to truly serve its community, it must comprehensively and continuously assess the community's needs. (AUTH/EMH)

This personal narrative traces the background of instructional gaming from 1958 to 1995. The advantages and disadvantages of gaming as a disciplined activity are considered. The evolution of professional organizations, related academic activity, the game design process, and the need for consistent use of terms are addressed. Contains 57…

Details the Rockford (Illinois) Public Library's activities involved with developing a community online information system and the not-for-profit organization established to run the system. Includes mission statement; guiding principles, policy statements; standing committees and goals for first year of operation; funding; adding users and…

Discussion of the profession of librarianship and its future focuses on the "Strategic Visions" program that identifies needed values and goals for the profession. Highlights include a new professional structure; improved library school accreditation processes; improvement of educational standards; certification of librarians; continuing…

Examines 20 systematic SBM studies for insights about authority delegation, fiscal inputs, objectives, and student outcomes. SBM's effects on achievement were mixed. Nine studies gave no results; three asserted positive results but gave no achievement data; one asserted negative results but gave no achievement data; two with achievement data…

Reports on the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and its role in furthering the use of distance learning technology. Highlights include activities; telecommunications; educational media; training; planning and advice; strategic alliances and outlooks; public administration; student record/management system; institutional and material development; a…