Developing an effective communications program is crucial for the survival of colleges, universities, and independent schools because they must be well understood and have broad public support. This guide to media relations compiles articles from "CASE Currents" into five sections: "The Basics of a News Service" (17 papers);…

More than one-half of all college students in the United States and nearly half of all college faculty attend or work at two-year colleges, yet references to them in American fiction are few and far between and usually derogatory. Examples used in an earlier paper on this topic are Bobbie Ann Mason's "Shiloh," Susan Fromberg Schaeffer's…

Drawing on the practices and experiences of universities in developed countries, this paper reviews and discusses the major issues and questions involved in the building of a library school teaching faculty. The nature and function of the university are briefly discussed; the factors affecting the acceptance of a teaching position by potential…

Predictors of success in the law firm were studied through interviewing and survey administration. Selected partners at several of the top 100 law firms were interviewed, and 600 alumni of 2 elite law schools were surveyed. The alumni sample was comprised of 150 members of 2 graduating classes from the 2 institutions; those who graduated 7 and 8…

A representative sample of 987 entering freshmen (45 percent male and 55 percent female) at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP), were surveyed regarding their attitudes and demographic characteristics during two-day summer orientation sessions. The typical UMCP freshman was from an upper-middle class home, earned at least a B average…

Case studies and historical notes are presented to suggest that the seemingly clear and familiar categories (including "college,""university,""public," and "private") carry legacies of complicated origins and connotations. According to conventional wisdom and popular belief, the typical state university is…

Twenty key administrators, 20 present and past department chairmen, and 60 faculty were surveyed on their perceptions of the role of the department chairman and the criteria used for selection of this position. Responses were elicited for 30 role statements and criteria for selection were examined through nine survey items. Fourteen of the 30…

Mount Holyoke College was examined to see how it manages itself, how it raises and spends money. Holyoke's president understood that, in a competitive age, the key was not so much educating as it was positioning. Marketing and price fixing are discussed. (MLW)

Two aspects of recent trends in Black college attendance patterns are examined: the proportion of Blacks at various institution types and the distribution of Black students among institution types. Issues relating to institutional quality or reputation and Black enrollment are discussed. White enrollment data are included for comparison. (MSE)

The ways in which Coppin State College improved its image among and its marketing to potential students within the urban community are described. The following self-assessments were undertaken: faculty, student, and community perceptions and the needs of residents and employers were surveyed. (MLW)

Ranking American colleges, universities, and individual departments according to their academic quality is discussed. Six types of methodology used are identified: reputational rankings; faculty awards, honors, and prizes; citations in citation indexes; alumni achievements; scores of entering students on standardized tests; and institutional…

All institutions of higher education recognize the importance of good relationships with their communities. To avoid confusion and disappointment about its community relations, the institution must know what it wants to achieve through a clearly defined mission statement or a set of goals and objectives. (Author/MLW)

Phenomenological study examined the social experiences of eight rural parents who stood up for their child at school. Main themes characterizing their experiences were: (1) parents know the teachers and principal; (2) it is common knowledge in the community whenever a child has a problem at school; and (3) what happens at school can change…

Explored the crisis of respect needed to establish authority in two urban public high schools. Data from observations and interviews indicated that in classrooms, battles for respect involved defending the dominant educational regime and control over the daily regimen of pedagogical practice. In corridors, students moved between mainstream…

Media ranking of colleges is often superficial and only further confuses families and prospective students. In addition, some colleges are excluding students to present a "selective" profile. Rationality in admissions can return, when parents and students become knowledgeable about the process, counselors interpret changes, and colleges give…