This adaptation of an excerpt from a book, "The Business Value Web: Resourcing Business Processes and Solutions in Higher Education," addresses ways to look at college business processes systematically, take fresh approaches to resourcing, and create real value for stakeholders. (EV)

Describes how within the design and construction industry, a process known as "building commissioning" has evolved to ensure that the operational aspects of a facility are just as worthy of praise as the bricks and mortar. Discusses higher education business officers' responsibility for initiating a building commissioning process, which…

Notes that the new chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of College and University Business Officers, Bret Hartley, has had a campus career (at Florida state institutions) characterized by collaboration and delegation. Highlights six major endeavors of the organization in the coming year. (DB)

Mary Jo Maydew articulates her priorities as 2002-2003 board chair of the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO): helping business officers maximize their expanding roles on campus and guiding the association in better serving member needs. (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)

Asserts that the complexity of interrelated energy management factors means that business officers have to be more closely involved in assessing and communicating the effects of energy on campus maintenance and operations and utility budgets. Discusses identifying appropriate energy initiatives, developing realistic utility infrastructure plans…

Contends e-business is particularly the domain of college and university business officers, with today's officers facing an unprecedented opportunity to exercise a critical leadership role in the deployment of advanced information technology solutions on campus. Describes relevant issues and advances, and presents ten initiatives that business…

Offers guidelines to college business officers concerning investments in real estate and the unrelated business income tax (UBIT), which requires tax-exempt organizations to pay federal and state taxes on income earned from a trade or business unrelated to their tax-exempt purpose. Considers real estate investment funds, exposure to UBIT, avoiding…

To assist college business officers in developing a distance education approach, addresses four questions: (1) Why pay attention to distance education? (2) How might distance education be structured at your institution? (3) What role should you play in distance education? (4) What risk do you take by not becoming involved? (EV)

Colleges and universities are saving their recyclables for collection, but paying less attention to developing markets for recycled materials. Institutions can help by purchasing recycled paper. Costs can be reduced through contract and consortium buying and user conservation measures. (MSE)

In addressing the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Board, the National Association of College and University Business Officers' president urged the accounting standards boards to work together to establish a multiyear accounting research agenda for higher education. (Author/MSE)

Computers have a great number of potential uses at the small college. A survey of the role of software in the effective use of computers is described. Hardware characteristics, spreadsheets, purchasing or developing software, and software information are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The career and administrative style of Mary M. Lai, who celebrates her 50th year as chief financial officer at Long Island University (New York), are discussed. Her perspectives on change in higher education and in the institution during that time, the administrator's role, current challenges for financial officers, and the college environment as…

College and university business officers must recognize the nature of current changes in higher education and alter their leadership methods to suit the times. Theories of leadership suggest strategies, behaviors, and abilities that business officers can use to shift from transactional to transformational leadership styles. (MSE)

Reports on the July 2000 annual meeting of the National Association of College and University Business Officers. Highlights included a keynote luncheon speech by Colin Powell and general session speeches on such topics as the social effects of the technological revolution on campus, college-business partnerships, college-community partnerships,…