Why Teaching Is Not Job No. 1

Efforts to assess learning often fail because there's little incentive for faculty members to be better teachers.

For-Profit Colleges Wage Uphill Fight Against 'Gainful Employment' Rule

Under attack in Congress and facing regulations that could ravage their revenues, they are spending heavily on a last-ditch defensive campaign.

In a Remote Utah Canyon, Archaeologists Plumb an Ancient Mystery

At the University of Utah's unique Range Creek Canyon field station, researchers are learning about the little-known Fremont people.

Activist Takes the Fight for Social Justice to Kalamazoo College

Jaime Grant is leaving the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force to train community leaders at a new center on the Michigan campus.

Selected New Books on Higher Education

Titles of interest in academe.

'We Can Do More Than We Think We Can'

Willamette University's football coach, who was born without hands, is making a name for himself on the speaking circuit.

Among Dozens of Womb Mates, Only 2 Roommates

Twins, triplets, and three of four quadruplets are among the freshmen at two Midwestern colleges.

What They're Reading on College Campuses

A list of the best-selling books.

Publishers Join Forces to Sell E-Books to Libraries

University presses have decided to experiment with a strength-in-numbers approach.

The State-of-the-University Address: the Risk and the Reward

Whether a leader's speech is about campus matters or broad national concerns, a growing audience is listening.

Newly Customized Majors Suit Students With Their Own Passions

As an increasingly useful recruiting tool, colleges are letting unconventionally minded students design their own academic programs.

In Tough Times, Small Colleges Do Well

"I challenge the generalization that colleges with enrollments of 1,500 are too small to thrive today."

Are Cheerleaders Athletes? Are Band Members?

"Some institutions, like Quinnipiac, want cheerleading to be considered a sport because of its large female participation."

Pa. Academy of Fine Arts Has 'Solid' Position

"It is of the utmost importance that other factors be considered when looking at the financial strength of an institution."

'I Was a Hottie 30 Years Ago'

"I was pestered by demands for dates. One of my student evaluations said, 'If she would have me, I would marry her.'"

Sean Wilentz, Bringing It All Back Home

With a new book on Bob Dylan, the historian again defies expectations.

Can the Humanities Survive the 21st Century?

And if so, will it be at universities?

Tony Judt's Complicated Stance on Israel

His views on the Middle East eclipsed the rest of his long, varied, and nuanced career.

Sweet Surrender; Bullied in the Bay State

The history of sugar substitutes; the Brahmin censors of Beantown

An Ethnographer Captivated by Cops

An ethnographer finds herself on patrol.

Is a 'Conversation' on Race Even Possible?

The Challenges of Academic Advising

What's the Problem With Quiet Students? Anyone? Anyone?

For some students, silence can be a way to learn.

American Business Schools in the Post-American World

They must learn from their counterparts overseas to successfully adapt to changes in the global business-school market.

10 Tips on How to Write Less Badly

Fortunately, the standards of writing in most disciplines are so low that you don't need to write well.