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as perceived by those most affected by the program--its project directors, officials of the participating institutions, personnel of the assisting agencies and individuals who are knowledgeable about the program and its potential.

Several months ago, it became apparent that major changes were needed in the Title III regulations.

The

Office of Education decided, in keeping with the Administration's concern for public participation in policy making, that prior to submitting proposed changes in the regulations, we should undertake a study by distinguished educators who would examine where we have been and where we need to go. We reasoned that a searching examination of Title III by participants in its operations could form the basis for meaningful public discussions.

We are grateful to Dr. Henry E. Cobb, former Dean of the Graduate School at Southern University, for his sensitive examination of the policy issues that the Bureau of Higher and Continuing Education must examine within a context of change. These are the issues that will impact upon hundreds

of developing institutions, and these are the institutions which continue to be an essential and critical element in the higher education framework of the nation.

We also appreciate the support of the Ad Hoc Committee of distinguished educators who assisted Dr. Cobb, the Title

III staff which volunteered meaningful insights into project problems, and the numerous institutional officials, faculty members and project staff that provided invaluable information at all levels of the study's needs. Although this effort was made in a relatively short period of time, the enthusiasm of those who contributed to the study is an important testimony of the extent to which the public is interested in shaping educational policy for the nation.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My work with the Bureau of Higher and Continuing

Education (BHCE), formerly the Bureau of Postsecondary
Education, during the Summer of 1977, was challenging and
intellectually stimulating. I am returning to Southern
University with a much broader view and a much deeper
appreciation for the role of Federal agencies in the

American educational scheme. I am pleased to acknowledge
a debt of gratitude to the United States Office of Educa-
tion for providing me with the opportunity to broaden
my perspective and extend my experience. I am especially
grateful to Dr. Leonard H.O. Spearman, who, as Acting
Deputy Commissioner for BHCE, invited me to conduct an
examination of the Developing Institutions Program. The
acceptance of that responsibility led me through a fasci-
nating exploration of one of the most interesting and
important programs in higher education.

Special acknowledgments must go to the Developing Institutions Study Group. This group, composed of distinguished educators, met with the study team for two days in July. The report of the work-study group formed the central focus of most of the substantive inquiries

contained in the Report of the Title III Study. My special

gratitude is extended to this group and to its Chairman, Dr. Milton K. Curry. The Title III study group members were as follows: Dr. Elias Blake, Dr. Lewis C. Dowdy, Dr. Edsel T. Godbey, Dr. E. C. Harrison, Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, Dr. Carol Peterson, Dr. Henry Ponder, Dr. Armando Rodriguez, Dr. Richard E. Shearer and Dr. Donald Stewart.

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I wish also to extend personal and official thanks to the BHCE staff assistants who helped me to find my way through the U. S. Office of Education labyrinth and to locate what seemed at times to be hidden materials that would help unravel puzzles related to the program. referring to Mr. Frank Render, OE Consultant and Ms. Gloria Blue, OE Policy Fellow. Mr. Render continued throughout the writing of the report to provide whatever assistance that was requested. The intellectual curiosity and the hopefulness emanating from these two young people made working on the report a pleasure.

The cooperation of the leadership and various members of the staff of the Division of Institutional Development was indispensable and is hereby acknowledged. Indeed, gratitude is expressed to all the members of BHCE who assisted with the study, offered various types of support, and/or who simply wished us well. This debt of gratitude is also owed to the individuals in and outside of the

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare who were interviewed. The cooperation of the institutional Title III

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