Specific roles faculty members can play in their institution's budget processes are discussed, and the general ends served by budgets are identified. Each of the dimensions of institutional character (e.g., size, mission) determines the ways in which participants in budgeting will interact. For example, broader faculty participation in budgeting…

Outlines some of the issues and practices currently shared by higher education and health care industries, including public dissent, declining government support, shifting of the distribution of expenses, applicability of revenue-based budgeting, debate over cost and quality, merger trends, changing traditions, concern for development of a…

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis developed an economic model for resource allocation in its dental school and undergraduate business administration program, using responsibility centered management and total quality management techniques. The evolution, design, results, and limitations of the model are discussed. (MSE)

This article discusses the impact of resource reallocation by colleges and universities using Virginia Commonwealth University as an example. Alternative areas for creative reallocations noted include increased productivity/efficiency, quality improvement, growth by substitution, targeted fund raising, planned savings, categorical funding, tuition…

The effects of inflation on the operations of 10 northeastern colleges and universities and the effect of using current cost accounting are considered. The focus is on adjustments to assets in the plant fund by restating the surplus and deficit calculations of four state and six private institutions. The 10 institutions had plant assets with an…

Financial strategies, plans to increase return--and risk--up to the point (but not beyond) where the protection of core activities may begin to break down, are addressed. The stages for developing a financial strategy are: (1) formulate and examine academic program, research, and marketing strategies; (2) define core activities necessary to…

A committee approach to small-college short-range planning is described that focuses on admissions, financial aid, academic programs, and budget and using task forces, representatives of the board, administration, and faculty, and strict adherence to a schedule of deadlines. (MSE)

A national survey of 31 college business officers at state and land-grant colleges and universities finds that, although several states have given greater management flexibility to colleges and universities, many campuses operate in a highly regulated mode, with layers of external, and frequently internal, rules. Most difficult business officers…

The National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) has identified public policy issues of interest to its membership in 1997, including those in budget and appropriations, college costs and pricing, distance learning and technology, environmental health and safety, federal audit and accounting standards, Higher Education…

A number of current issues and initiatives in higher education are highlighted, including impending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the need for advocacy of higher education in public policy arenas, a University of Florida program combining accountability and institutional autonomy, and institutional compliance with nonresident alien…