Learning Resources

Abstract: Planning for faculty housing in a crowded city requires some innovative moves. Subtitles: Piercing the obstacles; Money, land, and all that; What the houses will be like; A win-win solution? Pull quotes: "Institutions frequently lose faculty prospects to others which have more affordable housing." "The university decided to take a proactive stance." "We looked to other San Francisco neighborhoods for design inspiration." "Where a university's faculty live surely influences the quality of that institution's academic life.

Abstract: Book Review: Talking About Leaving: Why Undergraduates Leave the Sicences, by Elaine Seymour and Nancy Hewitt. Westview Press, 1997. 429 pages. ISBN 0-8133-8926-7.

Abstract: Motivated originally by fear, the people rebuilt their campus, its programs, and its position in the higher education firmament. Subtitles: The "good " old days; Rethinking the college; Repositioning the college; The remake of Elon; Creating distincstiveness; Quality everywhere; What about tomorrow? Pull quotes: "We thought we would lose students, so we had to scramble." "When the faculty saw the drawings, they were thunderstruck." "The leaders decided to become a different kind of college." "The trustees were highly influential in the repositioning." "You can't design a curriculum for nerds when the students are not nerds." "We chose four values and made them the modern equivalent of old-time religious inculcation." "For us, a new show begins every day at 8 a.m."

Abstract: Book review: Born to Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics, and Creavtive Lives, by Frank Sulloway. Pantheon Books, 1996. 616 pages. ISBN 0-679-44232-4.

Abstract: Contends that many planning efforts are unsuccessful because they fail to account for luck, chance, idiosyncrasies, or unplanned conflict. In short, human behavior is unpredictable, and too many plans demand that it be orderly and rational. However, the author asserts that an understanding of chaos theory as applied to human behavior may help planners improve the success rates when attempting to implement strategic change. Keeping this theory in mind, plans should be: short-term and flexible; multifaceted and interactive; sensitive to organizational goals and motivators; and able to receive and interpret feedback appropriately.

Abstract: Book review: Building for the Performing Arts: A Design and Development Guide, by Ian Appleton, Butterworth Press, 1996. 225 pages. ISBN 0-7506-1276-2

Abstract: Driven by financial pressures and the need for increased, demonstrable efficiency and productivity, many colleges and universities undertake reengineering efforts to restructure their operations. The authors highlight the restructuring efforts at Bowdoin College, and offer some of the lessons learned from the process, such as informing everyone involved of the intended goals, utilizing care in choosing consultants, using pilot projects to test redesigns, and determining what is necessary for appropriate evaluation of the process.

Abstract: Maintains that the multifaceted missions of community colleges are increasingly under pressure to take on an additional primary mission: helping to rebuild their communities. In time, community colleges may evolve into something more like community service centers – an evolution already well underway at many institutions. In particular, three broad categories of initiatives undertake by the typical community college are explored: community-based education, collaborations with other local institutions; and community services. To address the expanding needs of their neighborhoods, community college may need to become more research-oriented, and increasingly take on the role of community facilitator as well as educator.

Abstract: Book review: Using Performance Indicators to Guide Strategic Decision Making, by Victor Borden and Trudy Banta (editors). New Directions for Institutional Rsearch, no. 82. Jossey-Bass, 1994. 124 pages. Assessing Performance in an Age of Accountability: Case Studies, by Gerald Gaither (editor). New DIrections for Higher Education, no. 91. Jossey-Bass, 1995. 107 pages. A Practitioner's Handbook for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Outcomes Assessment Implementation, by James Nichols and others. Third Edition. Agathon Press, 1995. 280 pages. Assessment Case Studies: Common Issues in Implementation, by James Nichols. Agathon Press, 1995. 212 pages. The departmental Guide and Record Book for Student Outcomes Assessment and Istitutional Effectiveness, by JAMes Nichols. Agathon Press, 1995. 80 pages.

Abstract: Book reviews: Interior Design, by John Pile. Second Edition. Harry Abrams Publishers, 1995. 584 pages, 748 illustrations with 181 plates in full color. ISBN 0-8109-3463-9.