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Participation in elite sport, and in particular those sports with special demands in terms of weight and shape, is associated with a higher risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa [Sundgot-Borgen, J., & Torstveit, M. K. (2010). Aspects of disordered eating continuum in elite high intensity sports. "Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports," 20, 112-121]. We report upon research exploring eating attitudes and behaviours within elite gymnastics. The study comprised 42 semi-structured interviews with gymnasts and support staff--34 gymnasts and 9 staff/support staff. The majority of those interviewed were acrobatic gymnasts (22; 16 males and 6 females) with 7 rhythmic gymnasts (all female) and 5 tumblers (all female). The mean age of those gymnasts interviewed was 17.4. A difficulty in precisely delineating extreme eating patterns (disordered eating) from having an eating disorder was noted. Within an elite sports context behaviours thought to be pathological in a more general setting might be fairly commonplace and even functional to the athlete's performance. The extent to which the athlete consents to these patterns of behaviour is problematic given their age and development. We argue that conceptualising consent as "authority to be cared for by a trustworthy coach," more felicitously applies to the child/adolescent elite sporting context, helping us understand not only the focus of the elite gymnast, but also their relationship with the coach and the coaches' responsibilities.

It is widely maintained that sport and physical activities contribute to the development of young people's well-being. Others argue that sports' contribution to good living is so strong that it is even thought to be a human right. Typically, however, the value of physical activity and sport to our well-being is conceptualized and researched within a subjectivist framework. We reject this framework on three grounds: (1) its impermanence; (2) its hedonistic shallowness; and (3) its epistemological inadequacy. In contrast, we argue that the value of sports and physical activities ought to be situated in fundamental arguments about the necessary conditions for human flourishing. According to this objectivist view, there are certain constituents of a good life without which human flourishing becomes impossible. We argue that sports and physical activities offer distinctive ways to help realize these objective constituents. It follows that, to the extent to which certain sections of society are deprived of opportunities to engage in sport and physical activity, or are offered diminished provision thereof, they thereby suffer a deficit in well-being. (Contains 9 notes.)

Offers insights on reigning in the costs of health care benefits from speakers at a two-day seminar for campus human resource professionals sponsored by TIAA-CREF Institute. Issues addressed include why chief financial officers must care, why higher education is different, drug costs, and changes in consumer behavior. (EV)

Asserts that although employees are bringing legal cases across the spectrum of discriminatory behaviors, lawyers who advise higher education see two particular areas of concern right now: age discrimination and retaliation against complaints. Discusses what business officers need to understand in order to prevent nightmare legal problems. (EV)

Building a college's potential for a major gift requires that (1) faculty, administrators, and volunteer leaders share a strong sense of where they want the institution to go and how to take it there; and (2) the development professional communicate that vision and excitement to alumni, community, and other possible donors. (MSE)

New postal rates are structured in such a way that colleges can save money on both individual letters and large mailings if they do some planning and some extra work. Letter size, accurate addresses, ZIP+4 codes, prebarcoding, and presorting are important components of a cost-effective mailing system. (MSE)

Information--who your prospects are, what they're interested in, who can best reach them, and what they're capable of giving--is the key to big gifts to institutions of higher education. Prospect research means digging into the personal and financial backgrounds of your donors. Professionals offer advice for drawing up ethical research and privacy policies. (MLW)

The Internal Revenue Service maintains that donors must subtract the value of any "substantial benefits" they receive from the amount of their gifts before they can claim tax deductions. It's the donors' job to make that adjustment--but it's a fund raiser's job to put disclosure statements on a solicitation. (MLW)

New concentrations of wealth in the United States have not been accompanied by increased private philanthropy for higher education. To inspire large gifts, college development professionals must build a compelling case for transforming education. (MSE)

South African divestment issue's impact on fund-raising, public relations, and alumni relations are discussed. An informal survey revealed that the campus debate over South Africa, apartheid, and divestment has not had a noticeable effect among donors, alumni, and other constituencies. (MLW)

Major implications for fund raising in higher education due to the Tax Reform Act of 1986 are discussed. A list of fund- raising resolutions includes: going back to basics and working harder; consequences of last year's donation rush; and answering questions on the new alternative minimum tax. (MLW)

The IRS argues that income from alumni associations group life and medical insurance policies is business profit, not tax-exempt contributions to its member associations. The unrelated business income tax (UBIT) is described. (MLW)

Federal cutbacks have created new demand for fund-raisers everywhere. Educational fund-raisers are thinking about "pay for performance"--incentive-based pay plans that can help them retain, reward, and motivate talented fund raisers within the tight pay scales common at colleges and universities. (MLW)

Critics, particularly the Reagan administration, have succeeded in focusing attention on institutions' spending habits, but economic and social conditions--not tuition inflation--are creating society's anxiety over college affordability. Four trends are at work: middle-income fears, college as gatekeeper, "portfolio-building" students, and the assault on financial aid. (MLW)

Charities have an obligation to give donors "accurate and sufficient information concerning the deductibility of contributions." Donors must subtract any benefit of "substantial value" from their gifts. The value of a benefit is based on its fair market value, not on its cost to the charity. (MLW)

The Postal Service is auditing and trying to collect back postage from nonprofit organizations, including alumni associations. Although the post office initially accepted the materials in question for mailing, it now says alumni associations illegally loaned their permits to commercial firms such as travel agencies. (MSE)

Affinity-group marketing--selling credit cards or insurance to people who have a lot in common, such as alumni--is booming. The IRS's case for taxing profits from credit card and insurance plans is discussed. The vehicle for collecting taxes would be the UBIT--the tax on unrelated business income. (MLW)