Maryland's governor, Martin J. O'Malley, didn't get much of his legislative agenda through the General Assembly this year, but he did succeed on one front: preserving enough state aid for the public-university system to stave off a tuition increase for the fourth consecutive year. Like politicians in several states, Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, made…

An annual national survey shows that state aid to public higher education in 1993-94 has increased in 36 states, with 9 receiving increases over 10%. However, appropriations have decreased 25% in California, 10% in Montana. Data on dollar appropriations and trends, by institution, are presented for each state. (MSE)

Recent state appropriations for higher education in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont are tabulated. Governors in all those states signed spending bills for higher education. (MLW)

A committee studying Texas higher education has withdrawn a controversial proposal to merge institutions, instead adopting a broad set of principles for higher education and specific recommendations for state colleges and universities. The objective is to improve education during state economic decline due to falling oil prices. (MSE)

A federal judge's specifications for desegregating Mississippi's state colleges are excerpted from a recent court ruling. Issues addressed include the state's formula for financing colleges, whether the case should focus on students or institutions, the missions of historically black colleges and predominantly white institutions, and campus…

Many state legislatures are authorizing the largest bond issues for campus facilities in years, in part for deferred maintenance and repairs. The robust national economy appears to be the main force driving the spending trend. Ironically, some of the states best positioned to give colleges large construction windfalls are those limited…

State spending on higher education has risen up to 30% in some states, with much of the new money paying for technology, upgrading community colleges, and providing funds to college shortchanged previously. Only Alaska and Hawaii showed net decreases. Data on 1997-98 dollar appropriations and percentage changes for each state institution and for…

After raising tuition for a number of years, some states are trying to freeze or reduce public college tuition. These changes arise from concern about reduced enrollments and image, and it is hoped that legislatures will respond with increased appropriations. Some critics fear a compromise in educational quality. (MSE)

Saint Mary's College (Maryland) is a small state liberal arts institution that has extensive control over its budget, property and assets, and decisions about borrowing money. These conditions, in effect since 1992, affords it substantial freedom from regulation, efficient spending, and greater opportunity to fulfill its mission as an honors…

Since 1983, Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton has made education the central focus of his administration, raising teacher salaries and qualification requirements, encouraging participation in higher education, and raising taxes to fund reform despite resistance. Continuing problems include limited resources and low esteem for state colleges among the…

In 1994-95, States will increase spending on public colleges and student aid by 7.6% over 1992-93, the largest increase since the recession began. Forty states have raised appropriations. Data are presented for each state university, state college, two-year colleges, other institutions, and student aid, by state. States are also ranked by…

Tables show a sharp drop in state appropriations for higher education. The figures were compiled by the Illinois State University Center for Higher Education. (MLW)

A federal district judge ruled that state officials failed to demonstrate the need to close Mississippi Valley State University and merge Mississippi University for Women with Mississippi State University to meet desegregation requirements. He ordered Mississippi to provide additional funds to two other black colleges, and approved a state plan…

Oregon State University and Southern Oregon State College have responded to state budget cuts with fundamental changes in academic programs and departments. Reductions are being made according to state guidelines for eliminating programs, rather than skimming broadly. Faculty are angered about personal and scholarly losses. (MSE)

In academic 1992-93, states will provide colleges and student-aid programs $300-million less than in 1991-92 and $200-million less than the previous year. Tables detail appropriations by state, rank states with percent changes noted, and list appropriations and changes for major institutions and activities by state. (MSE)