ActionLine NEA

There's not much doubt that NEA higher education members care deeply about the quality of the education they provide.

But the point was made once again last month in Savannah, Georgia. NEA higher ed members turned out in record numbers for this year's higher ed conference, searching out ways to improve the quality of American higher education.

At workshops on topics ranging from creating excitement in the classroom to the role of adjunct faculty, higher ed faculty and staff considered their roles in ensuring the quality of the education they provide. For more on the conference, visit: www.nea.org/he/conf98.

Leaders of NEA's higher ed staff affiliate at the University of Massachusetts helped make NEA's first Read Across America celebration a huge success March 2.

The national event celebrating the joy of reading and the birthday of Dr. Seuss announced at the NEA Representative Assembly in Atlanta last summer drew an estimated 6 million participants, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Newt Gingrich, and baseball sta star Cal Ripken.

Here's one on-the-scene report from Rosemary Riley, president of NEA's Massachusetts higher ed staff affiliate, the United Staff Association (USA):

"Several of the USA leadership went to the UMass Childcare Center and read to children in classrooms this morning, followed by a birthday party in the lobby of the Campus Center where our members dropped off book donations for the underfunded child care center.

"While handing out flyers and certificates of participation, we all wore hats, balloons and passed out cake (donated by the Campus Bake Shop) to hundreds of students and staff.

"The response was phenomenal. Chancellor Scott also came by and gave us a very generous contribution to buy books. Great success and a lot of fun!"

Thought & Action, the NEA higher education journal, is seeking submissions on all aspects of life in academe. The panel is especially interested in articles on improving teaching at the college level.

Three positions are currently open on the Thought & Action review panel, with terms for three years beginning this fall. If interested in applying for the Review Panel, send resume and writing sample to: Con Lehane, NEA Publishing, 1201 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036-3290.

The 1998 NEA Critical Issues Seminar will focus on quality teaching in higher education.

Under discussion: peer review of teaching, quality in distance education, and quality teaching among temporary faculty.

If you have been working on improving teaching in these areas and would like to attend the seminar, please call Christine Maitland: 202-822-7110 or E-mail: cmaitland@nea.org.