Appropriate for a high school audience and above, this two-volume set addresses the issues, events, scholarly interpretations, and historical context behind current college and university systems. The 200-plus alphabetically-arranged entries by scholars, policymakers, and administrators from around the country range in length from a few paragraphs to several pages. They discuss how this country's 3,600 higher learning institutions reach into the nation's economic, political, and intellectual life. Some topics, such as affirmative action, desegregation, distance education, intellectual property, multiculturalism, research ethics, and tenure contain multiple viewpoints. The encyclopedia contains cross-references and a bibliography that includes research studies and websites. Edited by Forest (political science, U.S. Military Academy, West Point) and Kinser (educational administration and policy studies, State U. of New York). Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)