The annual budgeting process is a valuable opportunity for districts to systematically examine both resource use and programming. They can then use the findings to optimize resource use and improve program efficacy in ways that will lead to increased student achievement. Bo Yan and Thomas Aberli discuss three root causes for districts' inability…

This paper compares and contrasts different strategies to balance academic institutions' operating budgets. Some strategies use economic theory to recommend a budgeting technique, others use management methods to cut cost, and some strategies use a management accounting approach to reach a balanced budget. Through the use of a simplified numerical…

Managing liquidity--a college or university's ability to access cash quickly or to easily convert assets to cash--is an increasingly crucial component of enterprise risk management. Liquidity risks lurk around nearly every corner--in the endowment portfolio, the debt portfolio, and in working-capital management. It also influences students'…

University administrators are increasingly required to manage budget cuts. California officials have considerable experience with one form of cut known as forced savings - a state-imposed requirement to underspend appropriated measures. (Editor/PG)

Principal budgetary approaches underlying the allocation of instructional resources to an institution of higher education to maintain its continuing programs are briefly considered from several standpoints, and an alternative approach is developed. The constrained ratio approach is conducive to innovation but maintains resource control. (LBH)

Discusses budgeting in corporate libraries as a basic tool of financial management. Highlights include focusing on goals; developing a list or matrix of services; resources needed for each service; shared costs; types of budgets, including operating budget, capital budget, and cash budget; and approaches to budgeting, including incremental…

This description and discussion of the budgetary process at the University of Michigan is divided into three major sections. The first section deals with the structure of the process and includes discussions of budget organization and format, an overview of the process, the general fund budget cycle, capital outlay appropriations, general fund…

Assesses the financial impact of online services for management and describes the process of financial management of the online search service at Charles River Associates, Inc. The areas of budgeting, pricing, and controlling are examined in the context of a financial management methodology. (CWM)

This student guide is intended to assist persons employed as supervisors in learning to reduce costs. Discussed in the first four sections are the following topics: costs (functional, fixed, and variable costs and ways of controlling costs); cost consciousness (getting people involved, passing on information, and getting and giving feedback); and…

Zero-base budgeting as it is used at Allegany College is described. Zero-based budgeting is defined as a budgeting and planning approach that requires the examination of every item in a budget request as if the request were being proposed for the first time. Budgets (decision packages) are first made up for decision units (i.e., a course for the…

This paper reconceptualizes the purposes of education's budget envelope. Citing numerous examples of how policymakers consider resource allocations apart from the main concerns of individual programs, the people reallocations affect, and education's most important programs, it suggests that policymakers and finance officers reemphasize program and…

Financial patterns at American University, Catholic University, George Washington University, and Georgetown University were investigated. Specific areas of concern include: revenue sources and expenditures, balance sheet formats, financial health, the effect of external factors such as enrollment and inflation, financial performance, ability to…

Included in the progress report of the Long Range Financing Task Force (LRFTF) of the National Association of Educational Broadcasters was the suggestion that a target of practical and desirable growth for Public Broadcasting over the next five years be specified. This paper offers a proposal in response which considers federal and non-federal…

Reaffirms necessary elements for the successful operation of college purchasing and maintenance programs (e.g., purchasing calendar, bidding procedures, vendor selection, contracting services, budgeting for maintenance, and workforce analysis). Discusses ways some colleges are saving on operating costs (e.g., solar energy, energy management,…