American research universities addressed issues of shared funding and overhead for research long ago. British universities are now establishing their own rules. The Commission of European Universities has worked on a model contract that represents progress, but major issues of partnership and patronage arising from differential institutional…

A four-year study investigated the effects of deinstitutionalization programs on 71 individuals who remained in institutions being downsized. Results found downsizing was associated with decreased community integration, decreased availability of therapy services, and many residential and day program moves within the institution. Per person…

Discusses how architects and school districts can learn from the past to avoid repeating costly mistakes. Addressed are architectural fees and the importance of not severely reducing time and cost spent in design to help ensure better facility performance later. (GR)

The National Association of College and University Business Officers has taken major strides toward meeting the responsibility for establishing accounting and public reporting standards within the field of higher education. The need for improvement in the reporting procedures has been generally agreed on. It is imperative that revision of the…

Discusses the history of Finnish library work and the growing role of libraries; general features of Finnish public libraries (location, number of patrons, financing of libraries, personnel, acquisitions); organization of the libray system; and reformation of the state subsidy system and the public libraries act. (CT)

By using an energy audit, the Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 (Colorado) identified fuel-consuming areas in its schools and reduced the annual increases for fuel from 25 to 5 percent. Six steps to energy savings will work for other districts as well. (JW)

Describes recent financial problems in support service provision faced by France's fourth largest university due to a steep rise in operating costs, a government mandate to maintain high academic and research standards, decreased resources, and efforts to improve resource use in the period 1977-81. (MSE)

An annual survey of college maintenance and operations (M & O) funding concludes, among other detailed findings, that college spending held steady this year, even in tough economic times. (EV)

Discusses what independent institutions of higher education said when surveyed about financial reporting practices and the desirability of an operating measure. Describes findings concerning who reports an operating measure, what is included as operating revenue, what is included as operating expense, how related disclosures are handled, and the…

Of the 53 referenda held in search of capital funds for public library buildings in 1994, 38 were successful, and of 54 referenda for public library operating funds in 1994, 50 were successful. Funding levels, voter approval rate, elections, competing ballot items, sources of taxation, and major campaigns (capital and operating levy) are examined.…

Data on research library holdings include volumes in the library, volumes added in 1990-91, current serials, total staff, and total expenditures for 107 university libraries and 12 nonuniversity libraries. University libraries are ranked. A pie chart of average operating expenditures, indicating percentages for salaries, books, serials, and other…

Discusses some of the factors that librarians should consider when planning to automate their libraries. These factors include vendor and systems selection; equipment; support; additional costs; and time. Seven tips to avoid common automation pitfalls are also given. (MAB)

Over the last decade, almost all of the country's 1,100 community colleges have begun fund raising, some with great success. They are beginning to compete with larger institutions for foundation money. The money supplements operating budgets, and many colleges are building endowments that enable them to offer scholarships and keep student costs…

Total cost management, an innovation useful in higher education, is best implemented in the institution's support services. Total cost management is the practice of analyzing and improving an institution's financial and qualitative performance when producing a particular product or service, paying attention to the complete work process and all…

Presents summaries of 1996 budget reports from public libraries, divided by nine geographic regions of the United States. Data indicates that gains in total budgets are 6%; materials 7.1%; salaries 5.6%; and that fundraising has become a crucial activity to support libraries, especially in funding increasing technology costs. (JKP)