Who are we and where are we going?

The first part of this paper introduces a method for identifying the major patterns or trends of an institution. This method rests upon the identification of concrete decisions which are perceived as highly significant by individuals representing various segments of an institution. In the second part of the paper the method is applied to a recently established graduate school and research and development center. Five major institutional patterns which have characterized the development of this institution are identified and discussed: 1) democratization, 2) centralization of decision-making over research and development funds, 3) legitimation of development and implementation activities, 4) growth, and 5) entrenchment.Finally, the relevance of the findings is discussed in reference to all institutions of higher education; institutions which are faced with demands for broader participation on the one hand and increasing accountability on the other.The study upon which this paper is based was funded by the Research and Development Review Board, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Thanks are also due to Professors John Holland and Michael Skolnik for many valuable suggestions.     

Suicide among gifted students

Suicide has become the solution to an increasing number of gifted youth's mounting frustrations. While not all or even a documented majority of gifted children attempt suicide as a solution to life's Stressors, the loss of even a small number of gifted youth is reason enough for intervention to be actively sought. One possible solution is mandatory counseling within the gifted curriculum as a preventive intervention.     

Weight Transfer Patterns During the Golf Swing

Abstract

Twenty right-handed male golfers participated as subjects in an investigation of the two-dimensional weight transfer pattern produced during the golf swing. Ten subjects possessed handicaps of less than 10 strokes while the remaining 10 subjects had handicaps greater than 20. Center of vertical force locations were sampled during the swing with a computerized forceplate at a rate of 350 Hz. The occurrence of the initiation of the downswing (TOS) was monitored by a vacuum transducer in the club grip while ball contact (CON) was monitored by a laser/photocell system. Variables analyzed consisted of minimum/maximum force distribution ratios from heel to toe and from back foot to target foot as well as distribution ratios at TOS and CON. Intraclass correlation coefficients showed all variables to be reliable for both groups (r > 0.8). A subsequent discriminant function analysis produced one significant function (p < .05) which served to distinguish between the low and high handicap groups. The accuracy of group membership predicted from weight transfer patterns was 85%.     

Cardiovascular Fitness and Maximal Heart Rate Differences among Three Ethnic Groups

Abstract

The current study examines maximal heart rate and maximal treadmill time differences among three ethnic groups. In 1985, 1,047 city employees (572 male, 475 female) participated in a comprehensive health promotion program. Data were collected from a self-administered health and lifestyle questionnaire, maximal treadmill exercise stress test, and other clinical measures. The participants were divided into white male (n = 368), black male (n = 159), Mexican-American male (n = 45), white female (n = 256), black female (n = 189), and Mexican-American female (n = 30) subgroups based on self-reported ethnic identity. Univariate analyses revealed no significant differences in age-adjusted maximal heart rate or maximal treadmill time for males. Mean age-adjusted treadmill time for black females (478.0 ± 228.2 s) was significantly lower than for white (652.5 ± 227.7 s) and Mexican-American (594.5 ± 226.7 s) females (p <. 05). Mean age-adjusted maximal heart rate for black females (174.4 ± 12.4 beats/min) was significantly lower than for white (179.3 ± 13.4 beats/min) and Mexican-American (182.0 ± 13.5 beats/min) females (p < .05). Following adjustment for cardiovascular fitness level, that is, treadmill time, as well as age, these differences were no longer apparent. We concluded that the comparatively low maximal heart rate of black females may be partially explained by a significantly lower cardiovascular fitness level relative to white and Mexican-American females.     

Relations of Power,Speed, Flexibility,and Certain Anthropometric Measures of Junior High School Girls

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the differences among 7th, 8th, and 9th grade girls in power, speed, and flexibility and to determine the relation between power and flexibility, speed and flexibility, and speed and certain anthropometric measures. The subjects were enrolled in ungraded physical education classes. Seventh grade girls were faster than 8th grade girls in the 50-yard dash. Ninth grade girls broad jumped farther than 7th and 8th grade girls. No significant relations were found in the other items studied.     

Converting an intranet site to the cloud: using CampusGuides to refresh a library portal

After a major redesign project in 2002, Mayo Clinic Libraries' heavily used intranet portal remained largely static. Library staff were unable to make substantive design changes or introduce tools that would make the content more dynamic. CampusGuides offered a practical, user-friendly, web-based solution to add dynamic content to the library site. A task force was formed both to establish design and style guidelines that would integrate with the library site and to plan the conversion of content to CampusGuides. Converting intranet site content to CampusGuides gave the task force the opportunity to examine, re-imagine, and revitalize site content.     

Leadership Reflections: Parent Leadership

Abstract

There are many types of leadership but little known is parent leadership – how parental skills are applied to the workplace. Libraries depend more on soft skills that facilitate work and advance an organization. How individuals work together in an organization is just as critical as the work they accomplish. This depends on the ability of employees to develop and utilize their soft skills complementing their technical skills and expertise. As leaders focus more on behavior, they may tap into their parenting techniques in order to coach, guide, direct, and resolve conflicts. While a leader may not be able to ground an employee or take away their TV watching privileges, they might find themselves resorting to similar techniques in their management.