An effective college or university budget process is dependent on the culture of the institution. Different processes and budget types are appropriate to different institutions. Understanding the interrelationships of budgeting, planning, and financial modeling can help make the budget more predictable and relevant to the college's values and…

This directory provides information on various types of contract and outsourcing services available to colleges and universities. It contains profiles of approximately 2,000 service providers in 16 major categories: academic services, such as admissions, media and video conferencing, and testing; administrative services; advertising and marketing;…

Uses of personal computers, or microcomputers (micros), by college business offices are discussed, with attention to safeguards. An advantage of using micros is that business officers can develop their own applications with purchased software and need not depend on the data processing staff. The micros, which are located in the business office and…

Recognizing and calculating the financial impact of unemployment insurance costs is the first stage in gaining control of these expenses. (Author)

Several years ago, New York State created a new school business administrator certification program for private-sector business administrators who wanted to switch careers. Interviews with about 20 New York Association of School Business Officials (ASBO)/former business executives showed most brought superior finance and budgetary skills to their…

An Environmental Protection Agency program encourages energy conservation on campuses by consulting with colleges and universities willing to reduce energy used in lighting. Full program implementation in these and other organizations can create significant savings in demand for electricity and help fight global warming and acid rain. (MSE)

Rapid advances in information technology have rendered conventional approaches to planning and budgeting useless, and no single method is universally appropriate. The most successful planning efforts are consistent with the institution's overall plan, and may combine conventional, opportunistic, and entrepreneurial approaches. Chief financial…

The Willow Creek Community Church, an entrepreneurial, market-driven Presbyterian church founded in 1975, provided the model for a group of business leaders and campus business officers to consider how change can be effected in higher education institutions. The group concurred on founding principles for three utopian universities. (MSE)

The present and future training needs of financial aid practitioners (financial aid officers, counselors, and support staff personnel) at Arizona colleges and government agencies were assessed. Attention was directed to the literature on training and programs for financial aid practitioners, as well as the possibilities of developing a…

Computer hardware and software alone do not improve a financial management system. They are only the tools that carry out commands. College business offices and related administrative functions must commit effort to improving the overall system. Available from Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154. (MSE)

Most colleges and universities need to reduce expenditures and downsize. Such a project is difficult and emotionally charged. Many immediate remedies can ba applied to reduce and better control expenditures, but a more thorough analysis of the institution's organizational structure, operating procedures, automated systems, strategic planning, and…

College trustees have a responsibility to institute investment policies that preserve real endowment value. The chief financial officer's responsibility varies, but at a minimum should provide the board with essential information and ensure that trustees understand the importance of policy decisions. Critical tasks include establishing and…

Because of the integral relationship of student financial aid with student recruitment and retention, budgeting, program design and development, student services, and long-range institutional planning, it is useful to review organizational structure periodically to ensure visibility of the financial aid function within the institution. (MSE)

Survey responses from 246 two- and four-year colleges and universities throughout the country provide a database about 7 administrative positions. Responses are grouped by five student enrollment ranges, with full-time teachers as a comparison point, in the areas of base salaries, bonuses, benefits, and prequisites. (MLF)

When college budget problems lead to difficult decisions, the inherent differences between the business and academic areas may become exaggerated. Business affairs administrators are wise to make the effort to establish and maintain good communication with faculty. The rewards are trust and more effective administration. (MSE)