At the University of Akron (Ohio), research productivity was enhanced through improved information exchange, implementation of a systematic approach to securing funds, grant-writing seminars, reallocation of indirect-cost returns, establishment of a fund to cover unplanned expenditures, and other support activities. Creation and maintenance of a…

Describes an institution-wide activity-based costing study conducted at a large, urban, public university. The program cost study provides campus-, school-, and department-level cost information for the full range of mission-critical activities in teaching, research, and service. It also includes allocation of all levels of overhead to…

The principles of ratio analysis can help measure use of financial resources to achieve college mission by quantifying status, sources, and use of resources and the institution's relative ability to repay current and future debt. Business officers and boards can use these measures to measure institutional performance; ratios can also help focus…

Results of a national survey of college and university fiscal 1995 endowment investments found the average nominal performance (15.5%) far surpassing the previous year's return (2.9%) and higher even than double-digit returns in fiscal 1993 and 1994. Overall investment pool allocations are charted, and 460 institutions are ranked by endowment…

Discussion of fiscal management in the reformed higher education systems of Eastern/Central Europe begins with analysis of reform attempts in two British universities and relates them to Eastern and Central European issues. It is argued that institutions must adopt a holistic approach to managing change and for addressing various staff, structure,…

This report provides state-by-state figures concerning tax appropriations for the operating expenses of state colleges and universities. Included are an overall analysis of the recent 2-year changes in appropriations, an analysis by geographical region, and the trends in state support. Also highlighted in this analysis are the appropriation levels…

This report focuses on the group benefits available to Illinois public higher education employees. The study provides a perspective on the range of benefits and the differences in the administration of institutional benefits. Findings reveal the availability of retirement annuities that increase with each 10 years of service; optional retirement…

A reflection and training workshop held in Accra (Ghana) brought together African university presidents, vice-chancellors, rectors, and top-level administrators to discuss three themes: first, the nature and functions of higher education institutions; second, leadership and organization of the higher education institution; and, third, resource…

This document offers administrators a concise approach to the various theories of total quality management (TQM) and the tools necessary to implement these theories at postsecondary educational institutions. The book is divided into four chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the principles of TQM by briefly: (1) reviewing the ideas of TQM leaders; and…

Although the major locus of mental health care in the United States is in community agencies, funding cutbacks threaten the services those agencies provide. To assist human service managers in developing guidelines and concrete action strategies for dealing with financial problems, 106 mental health professionals (e.g., agency directors, technical…

The book proposes ways in which programs for gifted and handicapped students can be managed to make the best use of resources. An initial section provides guidelines for administrators who manage gifted programing. Guidelines touch upon the following topics: analysis of current efforts, assessment of staff and program needs, student identification…

This newsletter summarizes the debate on the use of state-level initiatives as levers to effect fundamental changes in higher education. It provides several perspectives on the use of incentive/enhancement programs to achieve state higher education goals. The concept of budgetary leverage is outlined, and the growth in enhancement programs…

Faced with scarce resources and environmental uncertainty in the past decade, colleges and universities have experimented with different modes of academic staffing, most of which are attempts to preserve or create more flexible policies and practices. In spite of tenure systems in operation at 94% of all four year colleges, institutions have at…

This paper examines some general principles affecting the timing, extent, and direction of fiscal changes in public school finance systems. To develop a framework that is applicable to a wide variety of states, the analysis concentrates on two dimensions: allocation and distribution. The median voter model and the fiscal neutrality model of state…

Responses from 54 libraries to a 1977 survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) member institutions and interviews by Office of Management Studies staff members who visited another 15 indicated that 20 of the 69 libraries had and made use of a written collection development policy. Eight others reported that such a policy was being…