Strategies for reallocation of resources that were used by five public colleges are discussed. Attention is directed to the efforts of institutions that are under severe political, economic, and time pressure. At each of the following schools that were visited, meetings were held with key administrators, faculty members, and students: the…

Public college and university administrators are concerned about steady erosion of immunities and tort caps traditionally relied upon for protection against lawsuits. In this context, institutions must consider their protection in these areas: extension of protection to all employees; scope of employment; nongovernmental functions; foundations and…

Kentucky legislation that has restructured the business management of the state's public colleges and universities is discussed. Attention is directed to: conditions in Kentucky prior to the passage of H.B. 622; the events surrounding the development of the legislation; the effects of the legislation on Kentucky's eight universities and 13…

An economic impact study of Ohio's public universities and medical schools provides documentation that state appropriations yield financial returns higher than virtually any alternative use of state funds, in the form of economic growth and increased opportunity for financial security. Some significant findings of the report are summarized here.…

Alternative financing methods (other than state financing) for developing cost-effective energy efficiency projects are discussed. It is suggested that by properly financing energy efficiency investments, state campuses can generate immediate positive cash savings. The following eight initiatives for maximizing energy savings potential are…

The status of university financial reporting was surveyed as an update of a 1976 survey. Of the 100 financial reports analyzed in 1976, 87 were available in 1980, and 39 additional private college reports were assessed. In addition to comparing 16 financial reporting standards used in reports between 1976 and 1980, public and private university…

Fiscal crisis in New England has been greater than that of early 1980s; colleges and universities should heed lessons. Presents guidelines extracted from study on organizations that effectively managed cutbacks in programs. Effective strategic planning was based on 8 preconditions that define system's capabilities to identify and react to decline…

Information on the security operations of public four-year colleges and universities is examined, and the case of the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC), which saved $66,000 a year from the security unit's operational budget, is noted. Of 561 questionnaires sent to public institutions regarding the general operation of security units,…

Over a decade ago New Jersey granted significant financial and operating autonomy to its state colleges. A look back to 1986, when the legislation was being implemented, identifies elements that enabled the successful transfer of responsibilities from the state to the campus. These included three categories of specific autonomies: cash management,…

The trend for universities to use their excess land for profitable real estate ventures in conjunction with private developers and builders is considered. One of the first institutions to embark on development was the University of Washington, Seattle, and one of the best known examples of university-sponsored development is Stanford University,…

The trend toward unionization for graduate students employed as teaching assistants by colleges and universities is examined, and the content of union contracts at five major universities is analyzed, looking at provisions for salary, health insurance, salary increases, grievance procedures, and appointment letters. Activism at three other…

Describes the Keene State College (New Hampshire) mode for delivery of information technology, which features collaboration of major college divisions, sustainability within realistic revenue/cost projections, and customer-based service delivery. Pre-implementation conditions, origins of the collaborative arrangement, how organization of campus…

Financing options for energy efficiency investments by colleges are outlined by the Energy Task Force of three higher education associations. It is suggested that alternative financing techniques generate a positive cash flow and allow campuses to implement conservation despite fiscal constraints. Since energy conservation saves money, the savings…

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…