For nearly four years, governors and state legislators have focused on little else in higher education but cutting budgets to deal with historic gaps in revenue. Now, with higher-education support at a 25-year low, lawmakers are considering some policy changes that have been off-limits in the past, such as consolidating campuses and eliminating…

With tax revenues beginning to rebound in most states and endowments on the rebound at many private and public institutions, colleges and universities are growing more hopeful about their financial outlook and instituting new strategies to take advantage of the opportunities. Yet as the economic recovery has slowed in the past few months,…

Many independent colleges are worried that, as their states' fiscal situations decline, they will be among the first victims of budget cuts. In some states, they already are. The author reports on aid to private colleges that goes on state's chopping blocks. Forty-five states last year provided a total of more than $2-billion for programs that…

When California approved its budget last month, the community-college system managed to escape the sharp budget cuts that befell most other agencies. But the state's fiscal troubles have nonetheless created a cash crisis for two-year colleges. As part of its plan to close a $41-billion budget deficit, California will delay providing $540-million…

Economic news today is filled with discussion about whether the United States has entered a recession. For the author and other presidents of public colleges and universities, whether the downturn can be labeled a recession is far less important than dealing with the effects of economic conditions on institutions. During hard times, both public…

This article reports that as students flock to public two-year and four-year colleges amid an ailing economy, they find the colleges struggling with financial problems of their own. Midyear budget cuts are forcing many institutions to lay off faculty members, cut course sections, and freeze enrollment. Rising unemployment, slumping values of…

Describes the budget shortfalls facing many public colleges and universities, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast; the familiar cut-back and tuition increase methods many are using to cope; and criticism of their use of earlier windfalls. (EV)

In an unprecedented move, revenue generated by the University of Kentucky's athletic program will be transferred to the university's general operating fund for 1988-89 and 1989-90 for general support of academic programs. Previously, funds have been donated to endow academic scholarships and to build a new aquatic center. (MSE)

Describes how lawmakers in cash-strapped states--including California, Wisconsin, and Tennessee--are forcing public colleges into hiring freezes, tuition increases, and even cuts in research designed to spur economic development. (EV)

A survey of 411 institutions of higher education is analyzed in terms of the short-term and long-term financial pressures on colleges experiencing cuts in operating budgets. Noted are the heavy impact of budget cuts on public institutions and the increased numbers of traditional first-year students. (DB)

Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York face giant deficits in their state budgets. The financial impact of the 1986 federal tax reform law was underestimated by colleges and income estimates were overly optimistic for 1988 and 1989. Unpopular, new taxes are seen as the way to solve the budget crunch. (MLW)

Reactions of public college and university officials (e.g., universities of Maryland and Iowa) to issues in lobbying for more funds during a recession are reported. Reactions range from continuing traditional approaches such as testifying at hearings to participating in protest rallies and urging students, parents, and college employees to fight…

Private colleges appear to be responding to public pressure to keep student costs down, although tuition rises still outpace the inflation rate. Some public institutions are also holding tuition down, but others are using increases to make up for state budget cuts. Often, tuition is held down to keep enrollment up. (MSE)

Higher education has emerged as a big issue in Louisiana's fall election campaign. Finance, governance, admissions standards, and desegregation are discussed. The six candidates include Governor Edwin W. Edwards, Billy Tauzin, Jim Brown, Speedy O. Long, Robert L. Livingston, and Buddy Roemer. (MLW)

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This October 29, 2004 issue of "Chronicle of Higher Education" includes the following articles: (1) "A Job-Hunting Guru Comes up Short" (Zimbleman, Dana A.); (2) "Distinctive Words That are Seldom Heard…