Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Recruiting Minority Students, Bob Yowell

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reflects on the difficulties of recruiting minority students into university theatre programs, using experiences at an urban southern institution as a case study. Despite significant minority enrollment at the university and outreach through performance groups, theatre struggled to attract Black majors. The discussion suggests strategies such as integrated casting, hiring more Black faculty, building ties with community organizations, and offering targeted scholarships. Broader systemic barriers, including inequities in primary and secondary education and persistent economic disparities, are identified as major obstacles limiting interest in theatre among minority students. The article argues that lasting change will require long-term societal …

Why Are You So Happy?, Samuel L. Becker, Douglas M. Trank

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reports findings from a national survey of communication department chairs examining factors that influence job satisfaction. Respondents generally indicated moderate to high satisfaction, with little variation across institutional types. However, the type of college housing the department affected satisfaction, with chairs in social sciences reporting the highest levels and those in performing arts the lowest. The most significant concerns across institutions were budgetary issues, including funds for equipment, travel, and general expenses, along with shortages of faculty. Analysis showed that perceptions of how departments were valued by higher administrators strongly influenced satisfaction, especially at master’s and doctoral-granting institutions. …

Effects Of Grade Inflation On Communication Education: Service Courses, Jim D. Hughey

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the issue of grade inflation and deflation in communication service courses, framing it as a balance between the values of democracy and excellence. The democratic approach, associated with assigning higher grades, was influenced by the expansion of higher education in the 1960s and 1970s and the goal of motivating diverse students. The excellence approach, tied to stricter grading, reflects calls for accountability and quality in the 1980s, including national initiatives for assessment and standards. Using data from lower-division courses at Oklahoma State University, the discussion shows trends toward tougher grading but notes discrepancies between the basic speech …

Effects Of Grade Inflation On Speech Communication Majors, Robert C. Dick

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines grade inflation in communication and theatre programs, situating the issue within broader trends in higher education. While national studies have shown rising undergraduate grades despite declining SAT scores, departmental data from Indiana University reveal both periods of grade inflation and more recent declines. The discussion highlights multiple causes, including liberal withdrawal policies, student pressure for career-oriented courses, faculty differences in grading philosophy, and fears of poor student evaluations. Special attention is given to challenges in performance-based courses where instructors may be tempted to inflate grades to protect student self-esteem. Potential consequences include disadvantaging strong students, undermining credibility …

Minority Recruitment For Performance Programs, Fred Behringer

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the challenges and opportunities of minority recruitment and retention in higher education, with a focus on theatre programs at predominantly white institutions. It highlights national trends of declining minority enrollment and the pressures placed on colleges to meet desegregation goals, which sometimes create tension with historically Black institutions. Traditional recruitment strategies, often shaped by white middle-class assumptions, are critiqued as ineffective in reaching new pools of talent. A pilot summer theatre workshop at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is described as a model for community-based recruitment, emphasizing partnerships with Black organizations, personal outreach, and visible institutional …

A Study Of Quantity Of Articles Produced In The Communication Discipline By Institution, 1980 Through 1985 Part 1, Kittie W. Watson, Larry L. Barker, Vernon O. Ray, Robert N. Hall

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article reports findings from a national study of publication productivity in speech communication for the years 1980–1985. Using data from ten leading journals, institutional output was measured by assigning publication points, with adjustments for multiple authorship. The results identify the top fifty universities contributing to research in the discipline, showing that large doctoral-granting institutions dominated the rankings, while smaller colleges and junior colleges did not appear. The analysis also introduced a ratio comparing the number of contributing authors to total publication points, providing insight into whether output was concentrated among a few individuals or spread across larger faculties. While …

Drama Teacher Certification Is Everybody's Problem, Bob Yowell

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

This article examines the challenges of theatre teacher certification and oral communication requirements in Alabama, highlighting systemic barriers to the growth of theatre education. Certification typically requires coursework across theatre and speech, yet few students pursue this path due to limited job opportunities. State policy mandates one semester of oral communication in schools, but implementation is inconsistent, often ignored due to lack of qualified faculty or resources. A current proposal to merge oral communication into broader language arts curricula risks diminishing attention to speech and theatre, particularly since English teachers dominate the process. The discussion critiques the weak lobbying presence …

How To Run Better Business Meetings: A Reference Guide For Managers, N. Edd Miller

Association for Communication Administration Bulletin

Reviews the book "How to Run Better Business Meetings: A Reference Guide for Managers," authored by the 3M Meeting Management Team (1987). Published by McGraw-Hill Book Company.

Assessment Of The English Comprehension Level Test As A Predictor Of Success In Navy Recruit Training, Carla M. French

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

As of 1980, the total population of persons of Spanish origin in the United States was 14,609,000, or 6.4%, with over 2,000,000 of them Puerto Rican (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1983). Thousands of Hispanics are coming into the U.S. every year, both legally and illegally. They are the second largest minority in the U.S., and if growth continues at the current rate, they may outnumber Blacks by the year 2020 (Davis, Haub, & Willette, 1983).

Effects Of Informed Consent On Client Behaviors And Attitudes In A Pro-Life Pregnancy Counseling Center, Kathryn Lynn Mardirosian

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Although current professional and public opinion support the right of the client to make an informed decision about entering and continuing in a psychotherapy or counseling relationship, research studying the effects of informed consent on client behaviors and attitudes in the medical, research, and mental health fields has resulted in equivocal findings. This study looked at the effects of an informed consent procedure on client behaviors and attitudes in a pro-life pregnancy counseling center where the center's primary goal is to reduce the number of abortion decisions among clients. Thirty of the center's clients (Experimental Group) were given an Informed …

Escalation: A Closer Look At Allocation Decisions, David A. Hofmann

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The escalation of commitment to a particular course of action has, in the past eleven years, become an increasingly popular area for research in the psychological aspects of decision making. The major question posed by this line of research is: "Does an individual become so committed to a particular course of action that he/she can no longer analyze the situation objectively and, consequently, makes irrational decisions to continue investing when such activity is no longer advisable?" Staw (1981) states that the escalation phenomenon can occur when an individual becomes overly committed to a chosen course of action. He adds that …

Evaluation Of A Support Group For Parents Who Have A Sexually Abused Child, Mark A. Winton

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the effectiveness of a Parent Support Group for parents who have a child who has been sexually abused. Twenty-seven pa rents completed pre- and post-evaluation packages to assess the effectiveness of the group. The Louisville Behavior Checklist, the Mother-Child Relationship Eva l uation, the Parenting Stress Index, an educational assessment form and a subjective evaluation using content analysis were used to test several hypotheses. The results indicated that there were significant decreases in the children's dysfunctional behaviors and an increase of the number of correct answers on the educational assessment. The subjective evaluation appeared to indicate that …

The Feasibility Of Computerized Cognitive Testing As A Surrogate Measure For Assessment Center Performance, Leilani M. De Saram

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The use of microcomputerized cognitive testing of personnel has thus far been limited to military and environmental stressor applications. The investigation of such testing as a substitute for assessment center performance represents a novel application of this technology. An examination of the relationship between performance on a cognitive test battery and assessment center performance was conducted.

A battery of selected microcomputerized tests measuring cognitive constructs was administered to assessment center candidates in law enforcement occupations. Contrary to expectations, the computerized cognitive measurements did not exhibit significant correlations with assessment center performance measures. It was speculated that the two measures assessed …

A Case Study In Rumor Transmission Based On The Leo Frank Case, George Mark Jackson

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the process of rumor transmission in an historical context. The basis was a case study of the Leo Frank incident. The editorials of Populist editor Tom Watson, written during Frank's appeal and commutation, were tested for emotional intensity. Significant findings tended to support the anxiety component of the Rosnow/Fine model for rumor transmission. The study was limited as there was no control condition without anxiety.

Gatekeeping And Coorientation, Do They Mix?: / A Three-Way Analysis Of A Business Journal, Sheryl Anne Tumlin

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 30, December 10, 1987

Central Florida Future

UCF submits budget for new student union; Lack of on-campus housing may be cause of apathy; UCF pool tournament put on with professional style; News: Date rape a hidden problem, according to UCF police; Students say traffic cops are cause of ticket errors; College students still mostly Republican, but that could change; News clips; Opinion: Have a great holiday break! Enjoy the chance to relax; The other side of nowhere: The best thrones in Camelot (by Tim Ball); Sports; Confetti: The entertainment and feature supplement of the Central Florida Future.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 29, December 8, 1987

Central Florida Future

Area network part of the future (with illustration of a cross section of fiber optic cable); Student aid programs could receive government windfall; Board of Regents approve new enrollment plan; News: Lack of money cause for 1 /3 of college dropouts; News clips; Opinion: our game was end to otherwise sweet & successful season; The Kamikaze columnist: Admit it, it was a hell of a team (by Don Wittenkind); Sports: Trojans deflate Air Supply, 31-10; Three UCF women [Amy Allmann, Michelle Akers and Kim Wyant] on international team [United States Women's National Soccer Team].

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 28, December 3, 1987

Central Florida Future

Brush on Alafaya Tr. cut for safety's sake; DOT [Florida Department of Education] predicts shortage of teachers next year; Horror stories about transferring to UCF; Light up the Knights; News: Police to build shooting range; News clips; Opinion: Some football pep; does anyone have any tests next week?; Letters: Why it stinks [of cigarette smoke] (by Kurt Amesbury, Engineering); Sports: Troy State vs. UCF a game of destiny, Many think winner of this game will take national title in Alabama; Confetti: The entertainment and feature supplement of the Central Florida Future.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 27, December 1, 1987

Central Florida Future

Pendulum pauses for poking students (photo); Student escorts accuse police department of lying about pay raises; News: Students to clear up UCF misconceptions; Communication Dept. increasing standards; News clips; Student GOP groups fighting over control of campus affairs; Opinion: Hurrah for the 12th man and the Knightmares, do it gain Saturday; Voice from the wilderness: What Andy knows about sex (by Andy Campanaro); Health Bolt (presented by the UCF Student Health and Wellness Center); Sports.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 26, November 24, 1987

Central Florida Future

Manager thinks ball player getting easy ride; SG offers bucks to campus organizations in many ways; CEBA II construction well under way; News: Students' 'pretend portfolios' suffered little in market crash; Farleigh Dickinson frat banned as racial confrontations continue; News clips; Opinion: Some applause and some boos for the good, bad and ugly; Health Bolt (presented by the UCF Student Health and Wellness Center); Sports: It's a first Knights make [football] playoffs!; Strong winds whip Lady Knights soccer team.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 25, November 19, 1987

Central Florida Future

Top programming team takes 4th, 2nd team gets 2nd; $3,000 dish serves up more programs; Undergrad Studies and Financial Aid join forces to streamline operation; Safe Ride Home program getting dry response; News: SG part of effort to point out profs who speak English poorly; UCF Mathematics Professor Dr. Patrick Joseph O'Hara Died (photo); Congress may restrict GSLs to upperclassmen; News clips; Right-wing group stops speech; Opinion: Thursday's Feelings: Happy for Knights... angry at airlines; The other side of nowhere: In search of the finest commode (by Tim Ball); Sports: Women's soccer team ready for final four; Proving the critics …

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 24, November 17, 1987

Central Florida Future

Flasher hiding in bushes along fitness Trail (with map of incident area); Enrollment for new employee dental plan ends soon; Student Government could provide dental insurance for students soon; News: Khomeini's posters on campus; News clips; Someone steals exams in prof office break-in; Opinion: This year beginning of tradition, not end of dream season; Voice from the wilderness: So what if there's nothing else? (by Andy Campanaro); Sports.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 23, November 12, 1987

Central Florida Future

'Study' group parties in library study room; SG wants to up A & S fee ante; roundtable in Orlando; News: Class gets experience with campus neighbor; Getting away from it all...; Officials boycott AIDS discussion panel; Penn students demand more protection; Opinion: Will you support Knights when they go to Tallahassee?; Sports; Confetti: The entertainment and feature supplement of the Central Florida Future.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 22, November 10, 1987

Central Florida Future

BOR approves Fine Arts Building; Radiology students show off skills, wares; News: Computer system one of nation's first; Accessibility 'good' but could be better; DOE promises cutbacks for schools where loan default rate is too high; Baptist turmoil spreads to church-run colleges; Opinion: We should worry about public record more than private life; Voice from the wilderness: Our 'progress' is going wrong way (by Andy Campanaro); Health Bolt (presented by the UCF Student Health and Wellness Center); Sports: Ladies [soccer] shut out Barry in playoffs.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 21, November 5, 1987

Central Florida Future

First came UCF car tags, now school credit cards; New phone book, due out late Nov.; Process for handling student grievances a lengthy one; News: Steps to making academic grievances; Student artists want sculpture garden, more; News clips; Book stirring controversy over value of popular culture; Campus .papers taking political turn; Mercer president wins battle with fundamentalist opponents; Opinion: Students and profs should both work to fix deficiencies; he other side of nowhere: Hey, let's hear it for hooters' rights (by Tim Ball); Sports; Confetti: The entertainment and feature supplement of the Central Florida Future.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 20, November 3, 1987

Central Florida Future

Profs disagree about why many fail algebra; Education grads to get week of honors; UCF staying out of drug testing craze; News: Education bash a national rash; Texas can't halt hazing, report says; News clips; Opinion: Poll-climbing Knights deserve student support-so give it!; Future world: Betty Crocker still beats Amano (by Chris Richcreek); Health Bolt (presented by the UCF Student Health and Wellness Center); Sports: Women's soccer earns playoff berth.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 19, October 29, 1987

Central Florida Future

Ski team looking for lake; [Library] Patrol's job: keep food & drink from ruining valuable books; College stations watch FCC ruling - little effect on UCF; Profs say don't worry about market crash; News: Workers unhappy about new aprons; News clips; Photo of a model of the new College of Business Administration building (CCEBA II) and the existing College of Engineering building (CCEBA I); Opinion: Most in Camelot don't seem worried by Wall Street shuffle; The other side of nowhere: Football tidbits for the bored & tired (by Tim Ball); Sports: UCF's 9th ranked women [soccer] hoping for playoff bid; …

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 18, October 27, 1987

Central Florida Future

Parking fine dispute involves ACLU; Video disc gives view of campus; Requirements must be met to register for Spring semester; Physical education offering more classes; News: Colleges waiting for results of stock market crash; College enrollment increases again; College women more interested in condom craze; Opinion: Homecoming events allowed UCF to shine despite concert; A voice from the wilderness: Mortgaging our children's future (by Andy Campanaro); Confetti: The entertainment and feature supplement of the Central Florida Future.

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 17-B, October 22, 1987

Central Florida Future

Hollywood Knights: special homecoming issue; News: Exhibition by UCF artists adds flair to Homecoming; [Ellen] Bolves hired for [Counseling and Testing Center] C&T job on second time around; News clips; UCF parking fines on decline; Halloween bash to raise cash; Greeks gain record number in Fall rush; Knights gear up for battle with Bear Cats; Opinion: Homecoming mood lightens the load of World problems; Future world: And in answer to your letter Tim... (by Chris Richcreek); Health Bolt (presented by the UCF Student Health and Wellness Center); Sports: Ending the homecoming slump; Confetti: The entertainment and feature supplement of the …

Central Florida Future, Vol. 20 No. 17, October 20, 1987

Central Florida Future

UCF contract with Navy means student jobs; Students soon can get check list of courses taken, needed; Business college can't afford [Scantron] test sheets; News: Placement office offers more than students think; Incidents in Illinois, NY spark increased racial tensions across country; Drive to raise funds for memorial to student activists falls short of goal; Presidents say [U.S. News and World Report] guides to colleges inaccurate; Opinion: Little Jessica proves this nation can still pull it all together; The other side of nowhere: How do you spell Air Supply relief? (by Tim Ball); Sports.