Digital Commons Network^™

Program Quality And Departmental Responsibility, Richard M. Clark

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the vulnerability of theatre departments in higher education and the factors that contribute to program discontinuance or restructuring. It argues that departments often play a role in their own decline by failing to recognize weaknesses, respond to warning signs, or engage constructively with administrative concerns. Key indicators of trouble include declining enrollment, poor faculty retention, weak curricular vitality, budget mismanagement, and insular hiring practices. The discussion emphasizes that resentment toward administrative actions is counterproductive; instead, departments must proactively demonstrate quality through alignment with institutional goals, strong student outcomes, faculty development, and effective governance. Failure to address shortcomings …

The Presentation Of Convention Papers As An Indicator Of The Quantity Of Faculty Productivity, Mark Hickson Iii, Sidney R. Hill Jr., Hal W. Fulmer

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This study examined whether the number of convention papers presented at professional meetings could serve as an indicator of faculty productivity. Focusing on fifteen years of data from the Southern Speech Communication Association, the analysis documented trends in paper presentations by faculty, departments, and institutions. Findings highlighted the uneven distribution of productivity, with a small number of institutions and individuals accounting for a disproportionate share of activity. The study emphasized the usefulness of convention papers as a measure of scholarly output, while also acknowledging limitations such as varying conference acceptance policies and the distinction between quantity and quality of research. …

Department Chair As Change Agent, John I. Sisco

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the role of the department chair as a catalyst for change within academic institutions. It considers the origins of chairs—whether promoted internally, recruited from other institutions, or brought in with prior administrative experience—and how these backgrounds shape their effectiveness. The discussion distinguishes between changes typically sought by administration, such as reorganizing programs for efficiency or shifting institutional identity toward research, and those sought by faculty, including greater resources and improved recognition of departmental contributions. Emphasis is placed on setting realistic, short-term goals that engage all faculty members, thereby building momentum and visibility for the department. The article …

The Department Chair As An Agent Of Change, Edward L. Mcglone

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This essay explores the department chair’s role as an agent of change within academic institutions. It examines the nature of organizational change, highlighting that it often occurs when departments themselves are ready rather than when leaders desire it. The discussion reviews the complex and varied expectations of the chair’s position, dispelling myths about charisma, workaholism, and “honeymoon” periods as prerequisites for effectiveness. Instead, effective leadership is described as grounded in intelligence, interpersonal skill, humor, and the ability to cultivate a supportive environment. The essay emphasizes that chairs cannot enact change unilaterally but must recognize readiness, build consensus, and create conditions …

Running An Intern Program: A Faculty View, R. Wayne Pace

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the role of faculty in designing and administering effective internship programs in higher education. Pace argues that internships are not merely supplemental experiences but integral to a career-oriented curriculum that emphasizes application of knowledge across disciplines. Drawing on philosophical approaches to education and insights from Peter Drucker, the article highlights how programs organized around application better prepare students for the interdisciplinary nature of professional work. From a faculty perspective, running a strong internship program requires three critical investments: (1) implementing a career curriculum that culminates in student portfolios; (2) preparing students through resumes, applications, site analyses, and …

A Response To Assessment, Pamela J. Cooper

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This response piece engages with ongoing discussions of assessment and value-added testing in speech communication education. While affirming the necessity of assessment to ensure disciplinary credibility, it raises critical questions about how competence is defined, whether economic models such as value-added learning are appropriate for communication, and whether assessment should emphasize process as well as product. Concerns are also raised about the feasibility of implementing costly instruments like the ACT Speaking Skills Assessment and the CCAI without institutional support. The argument emphasizes that communication is a creative, individual, and process-oriented activity that risks being constrained by overly linear models of …

Alternatives For Salary Advancement And Promotion, Lynn K. Wells

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article critiques conventional salary advancement systems in higher education, particularly merit pay debates and degree- or credit-based scales, for their tendency to undermine faculty initiative and professional growth. As an alternative, it outlines portfolio-based models of evaluation that incorporate diverse forms of faculty achievement, including curriculum development, research and writing, grants, artistic performance, and community service. The discussion emphasizes the role of joint faculty–administration committees, clear evaluative procedures, and structured timelines in ensuring fairness and consistency. Drawing on examples from multiple institutions, the article demonstrates how broadened criteria for advancement can more effectively promote professional development and institutional quality …

Promotion, Tenure, And Merit Decisions At Colorado State University, G. Jack Gravlee

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article provides a detailed account of promotion, tenure, and merit procedures at Colorado State University. Advancement is shown to depend primarily on published research, which carries greater weight than teaching or service in faculty evaluations. The analysis specifies the hierarchy of publication types, the documentation required, and the multi-level review process leading to tenure and promotion decisions. Differences in faculty adaptation to these standards are noted, particularly between newer faculty oriented toward research productivity and mid-career faculty trained under earlier, less stringent expectations. The paper concludes with projections concerning faculty turnover and policy changes, emphasizing the institution’s continuing prioritization …

Making It In Academe: Advice To Young Faculty, Bob Yowell

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article offers guidance for new faculty members seeking to establish successful academic careers, particularly in theatre and related fields. The discussion emphasizes the importance of appropriate academic credentials, realistic expectations regarding salary, and strategies for navigating institutional culture. It warns against association with negative colleagues, underscores the need for sustained motivation in teaching and production, and highlights the value of balancing creative work with research and service. Practical considerations such as understanding tenure procedures, building relationships with senior faculty, and contributing to departmental governance are presented as central to long-term success. The article concludes that persistence, professional engagement, and …

Advice To Young Faculty, Jack Wann

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article provides guidance for new faculty members pursuing careers in theatre education. It emphasizes the importance of commitment to the profession, noting that success depends less on innate talent than on openness, energy, and flexibility. The discussion advises young faculty to focus on substantive work—teaching, directing, research, and professional engagement—rather than on political or social distractions within academic life. It further suggests reframing challenges as opportunities for constructive projects, thereby maintaining productivity and avoiding cynicism. The article concludes that sustained enthusiasm, professional activity, and a commitment to teaching and creative practice are central to long-term academic success.

Determining How Well Graduates Are Prepared For The Real World, Bob Bohiken

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This study describes an effort to evaluate the preparation of communication graduates at Northwest Missouri State University for professional employment. Surveys were administered to recent graduates and their immediate supervisors to assess employment patterns, adequacy of training, application of coursework to job responsibilities, and continuing professional development. Separate instruments were designed for general speech communication, organizational communication, public relations, and speech/theatre education graduates. Response rates were 35% for graduates and 20% for supervisors. Results did not yield consensus on specific program strengths or weaknesses but provided baseline data and a viable evaluation method. The study concludes that systematic feedback from …

Aca News

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

In 1987, the Association for Communication Administration announced six candidates for its Executive Committee, with elections scheduled for the fall and terms beginning January 1988. The slate represented administrators and faculty from a range of institutions, disciplines, and leadership experiences. Candidate statements emphasized challenges in balancing departmental needs with service to broader academic communities, the importance of fostering professional networks, and the role of ACA in supporting reflective leadership and collaboration across communication fields. Proposals included expanding services to new communication disciplines, strengthening ties with related associations, improving data collection on trends in communication education, and promoting integrative approaches to …

Objective Characteristics Of Graduate Programs In Speech Communication, Renee Edwards, Elliott Pood

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This study established baseline data for graduate programs in speech communication across the United States, offering administrators a foundation for comparison and evaluation. Using survey responses from 82 institutions—37 master’s-only and 30 doctoral programs—the research documented program size, faculty characteristics, salaries, research productivity, assistantship support, and available concentrations. Results indicated substantial variation among programs but clear differences between master’s and doctoral institutions: doctoral programs tended to be housed at larger universities, employed more faculty, offered higher salaries, produced more publications, and provided greater financial support to students. The data underscored the importance of such benchmarking for departmental identity, administrative decision-making, …

The Other Side Of New Technology For The Theatre, Richard R. Ranta

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article explores the benefits and challenges of adopting advanced technologies in university theatre programs. It outlines the extensive use of computerized lighting systems, digital recording equipment, synthesizers, video facilities, and computer terminals to enhance productions and instruction. While such innovations expand creative possibilities and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, they also bring significant concerns about long-term maintenance, staffing, and training. The discussion emphasizes that acquisition costs are often easier to secure than operational support, and that departments must carefully plan for upkeep, security, and backup systems. Ultimately, technology is described as a powerful tool that should enhance, rather than overshadow, artistic …

How Effectively Can Speech Communication Instructors Be Trained To Develop Value-Added Skills In Their Students?, Robert C. Dick

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article addresses whether speech communication instructors can be effectively trained to develop “value-added” skills in their students—measurable improvements in oral communication across the undergraduate experience. The discussion situates value-added testing within broader debates about accountability in higher education, noting legislative pressures and institutional experiments with longitudinal assessment. Dick argues that such testing can provide evidence of teaching effectiveness and reinforce the discipline’s claims about skill development. The paper explores advantages, including greater public confidence and faculty-driven assessment, as well as concerns about punitive misuse, oversimplification, and standardized teaching pressures. Examples of assessment instruments, such as the Communication Competency Assessment …

Standards For Promotion, Tenure, And Merit Decisions, Ronald R. Young

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article addresses the complexities of promotion, tenure, and merit decisions in higher education, emphasizing the variability of criteria across institutions and even within campuses. While teaching, scholarship, and service remain the standard categories, their definitions, relative weight, and assessment methods differ widely, creating uncertainty for faculty and administrators alike. The discussion highlights how personal commitments and oral statements by administrators often conflict with the institutional memory, which rests solely on written records. To ensure fairness and consistency, the argument stresses the importance of documenting expectations, criteria, and evaluations in writing, thereby protecting both faculty and institutions. Ultimately, clear, written …

And These Few Precepts In Thy Memory...., Charlotte J. Headrick

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article offers structured advice to junior faculty entering academic careers in theatre. The discussion emphasizes the need to balance personal integrity with institutional expectations, particularly in relation to tenure and promotion. It highlights the importance of understanding departmental and institutional criteria early, documenting scholarly and creative work, and engaging in professional organizations at state, regional, and national levels. Attention is given to the pressures on theatre faculty to validate their contributions within broader university contexts, often by working harder and producing more than colleagues in other disciplines. Additional guidance includes maintaining professionalism in interpersonal relations, approaching colleagues with cooperation …

Programs In Organizational Communication And Public Relations, Robert Ross

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This study reports findings from a survey of members of the International Communication Association’s Organizational Division regarding the status of organizational communication and public relations programs in higher education. Data from seventy-nine respondents indicate that relatively few institutions offer full baccalaureate degrees in these areas, with most providing emphases or cognates within broader communication or journalism programs. Content analysis of definitions shows organizational communication conceived as encompassing all communication processes contributing to organizational functioning, while public relations is framed as boundary-spanning communication directed primarily toward external publics. Curricular patterns reveal overlap in courses such as public speaking, interpersonal, and small …

Do Students Repay High Grades With High Evaluations? An Old Question Revisited, Bena H. Harper

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This study investigates whether students reward lenient grading with higher course and instructor evaluations. The research examined data from fourteen graduate teaching assistants and 1,335 students enrolled in the basic hybrid speech course at Oklahoma State University across the 1983–1984 academic year. Grades awarded by instructors were compared with mean student evaluations of both the instructor and the course. While significant differences were found between the grade distributions of easier and harder graders, no significant differences emerged in corresponding instructor or course evaluation scores. These findings suggest that although grading practices vary, higher grades do not automatically result in more …

A Study Of Variables Related To Teacher Absenteeism In A K-12 School District, Dale F. Martin

Dissertations

Teacher absenteeism is a serious problem in school administration. The costs of teach absenteeism were estimated at two billion dollars per annum, according to a report published in 1981. Teacher absenteeism, like all forms of employee absenteeism, is a source of reduced productivity. Despite the seriousness and costs of teacher absenteeism, few studies of this problem have been completed.

In this study, reasons for teacher absenteeism in a K-12 school district were studied. Data from this study were compared to selective data from five medium sized school districts, with student population ranging from 3,350 to 22,845 students, located in Michigan. …

A Report Of An Internship At The Ottawa Area Center Ottawa County, Michigan, Donna Sue Angell

Masters Theses

The internship was completed at the Ottawa Area Center in Ottawa County, Michigan during the late spring and summer of 1986. It developed in two main areas: (1 ) the design and implementation of an offcampus community based educational experience for trainable mentally impaired (TMI) students and (2) the development of a computer based data system to maintain and examine student records.

Major experiences included the development of a curriculum which would optimally use the resources of the City of Holland, personal contacts with community leaders to explain and gain acceptance for the program, coordination of other activities at the …

Meeting Minutes, Wku Student Government Association

Student Government Association

Meeting regarding Lt. Governor Steve Beshear visit, state student government meeting, events and resolutions.

Meeting Minutes, Wku Council Of Academic Deans

Council of Academic Deans

Meeting regarding retirements, library programs, summer school, academic advising, graduate faculty and pre-college curriculum.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 62, No. 49, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky, news. This issue contains articles:

• Cold Front Postpones Springtime
• Jessie, Lisa. More Free Rides Come from Smaller Budget
• Murphy, Nancy. Handiwork Reveals Depth of Shakers’ Religious Faith
• Eagleston, Leigh. Man Hunts for Lost Son at Western – James Staton
• Lamothe, Paul. Bugs’ Brains May Explain Human Clock – Blaine Ferrell
• Pack, Todd. J. Anthony Page Plans to Stay, Despite University of Louisville Ruling – Regents
• Jury Dismisses Abduction Case for Lack of Evidence – Robert Winebarger, Carla Webb
• Birthplace Move Not Smart on Western’s Part – Robert Penn Warren
• Editorial …

Meeting Minutes, Wku University Senate

Faculty Senate

Executive Committee meeting re: meeting with Kern Alexander, Junior Black Faculty Development Program, sick leave policy, departmental governance, athletic expenditures and academic probation.

Ua12/2/1 March Magazine, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

Special magazine edition of the College Heights Herald featuring these articles:

• Struck, Angela. Joyce Wilder Offers the Deaf Helping Hands
• Harris, Carla. Western 2000: A Future Not too Far Over the Hill
• Jessie, Lisa. Sky Diving

1987 March 30 - Faculty Senate Agenda And Minutes, Faculty Senate, East Tennessee State University

Faculty Senate Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Ua12/2/1 College Heights Herald, Vol. 62, No. 48, Wku Student Affairs

WKU Administration Documents

WKU campus newspaper reporting campus, athletic and Bowling Green, Kentucky, news. This issue contains articles:

• Eagleston, Leigh. Bill Fogle Started Associated Student Government Race to Help Tim Todd, Not to Win
• Pack, Todd. Plans to Move Robert Penn Warren House Still in Works
• Medley, Joe. James McNary Says Meeting Marks End to Dispute
• Eagleston, Leigh. Races Face Candidate Shortage; Number of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Candidates Up
• Chattin, John. Group - Little and Left - Blasts Ronald Reagan
• Poore, Chris. Social Research Lab Opens in Grise
• Eagleston, Leigh. Associated Student Government Tables Phone Bill After Amendment
• Western Needs to Act Now …

Senate Meeting March 25, 1987, Academic Senate

Academic Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

News & Views - Vol. 05, No. 10 - March 25, 1987, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1983-1991, News & Views

No abstract provided.