Ten suggestions are given for administering an institutional insurance program and coping with recent changes in the insurance market due to increasing premiums and more limited coverage options. (MSE)

It is argued that colleges and universities can use direct allocation costing to provide quantitative information needed for decision making. This method of analysis requires institutions to modify traditional ideas of costing, looking to the private sector for examples of accurate costing techniques. (MSE)

Alternative college retirement programs and features of a desirable retirement program are discussed. The historical, social, and economic forces that prompt institutions to consider alternative programs are identified. The present position of college faculty in terms of retirement options is also addressed. Since its inception, the Teachers…

Examples are given of how United States universities are being affected by and coping with the declining revenues accompanying the current recession. The role of business officers in providing the facts, information, and guidance needed by an administration making retrenchment decisions is discussed. (DB)

A guide for individuals with fiduciary responsibility for investments offers both general and specific recommendations for assessing and making financial decisions, including steps to take and questions to ask concerning quantitative analyses. Focus is on the role of the college or university trustees in managing endowment funds. (MSE)

Administrators making long-term decisions on campus laundry equipment and service need to consider self-ownership versus contracting. Considerations in selecting a contractor include the contract, accountability, repair services, and machine usage pricing. Laundry rooms should not be located where they pose security problems and should be arranged…

The "balanced scorecard" approach for making holistic decisions about organizational change offers a framework for analyzing four critical organizational perspectives (financial, customer, internal business, learning/innovation), using specific indicators of success that focus on the organization's vision or mission. It can be used…

To be useful for management decision making, the college or university's cost accounting system must capture and measure improvements. Activity-based costing (ABC), which determines more accurately the full costs of services and products, tracks improvements and should proceed alongside reengineering of institutional accounting. Guidelines are…

Ethical issues raised by administrative decisions are examined in three specific situations faced by colleges: enrolling students with lower standardized test scores to raise income; shifting of endowment funds from uses specified by donors to other uses; and downsizing that may compromise the institution. (MSE)

The approach used by the University of Texas at Houston to fill a key administrative position is described. The method used a team of 13 members representing each school involved and other key constituents. Factors affecting the team's cohesiveness, procedures, and follow-up activities are explained. (MSE)

The nature of fast-track construction scheduling is described, the qualities and resources related to superior construction management performance are discussed, and the types of contract alternatives available are examined. (MSE)

An organizational model for higher education institutions that follows the corporate model is proposed. It strives to eliminate overlapping responsibilities among vice presidents, minimize organizational conflict, and empower the deans and academic program directors to make decisions. The system is intended to refocus the institution on its…

Although religious beliefs of college students opposing abortion may be sincere, they must yield to the institution's need to decide what programs will serve the entire student body's needs. When the Supreme Court rules on a challenge to allocation of mandatory student fees, it will apply principles of religious freedom. (MSE)

College administrators have an obligation to educate faculty and staff as consumers of retirement plan services. Employers can face liability if they limit plan participation to overly restrictive investment alternatives. A task force representing employees should be appointed to make vendor selections. (MSE)

A sound investment policy for colleges and universities should address these factors: spending rate, return requirements, time horizon for evaluating fund performance, risk tolerance, asset allocation, delegation of responsibility, investment monitoring, and procedure for amending an investment plan. (MSE)