This award is for a series of discussions at academic institutions and a national meeting in Washington to illuminate the major sources of stress affecting the academic research and education community in the sciences and engineering, and to provoke debate on constructive approaches to change. This project builds on the experience a similar project carried out in 1993-1994 by expanding the initial campus-based dialogues to a wider array of institutions and addressing some new issues. This second phase of the study has three objectives: to catalyze discussion and change on campuses; to encourage national dialogue among all parties with interests in the academic enterprise; and, to revive or recast the compact between the federal government and universities. As in the previous study, a report will be issued and widely disseminated to colleges and universities and other stakeholders jointly by the National Science Board and the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable. This report will serve as a record of the insights and proposals of the project participants, and it will enumerate activities or "best practices" that have proven to be useful in resolving outstanding concerns.
