The "New England Journal of Higher Education" ("NEJHE") Executive Editor John O. Harney had the chance to catch up with Lasell College President Michael Alexander about the small Newton, Massachusetts, college's plans to challenge the higher education business model. The interview is presented in this article.

As school districts continue to seek administrative efficiencies and cost reductions in the wake of severe budget pressures, the resources they devote to creating or expanding retirement plan consortia is increasing. Understanding how to structure a retirement plan consortium is paramount to successfully achieving the many objectives of…

Although benefits can be a sizable part of an educator's total compensation, there has been little scholarly inquiry into the state pension plans for educators. Despite the fact that all defined benefit plans rely on the same basic formula for calculating annual pensions, they vary across states in the multiplier used, the method for calculating…

The management of the cost of post-retirement health benefits (PRHBs) for retirees is a major concern to American corporations because of a declining commitment to the Medicare program by the federal government, new proposed accounting rules that will change the financial treatment of PRHBs, and a growing retiree population. This study was…

Early retirement plans are perceived as being beneficial to school staff and financially advantageous to schools. Four out of the five assumptions on which these perceptions are based are incorrect. The one correct assumption is that early retirement will make affirmative action programs move ahead more rapidly. The incorrect assumptions are: (1)…

The Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 provides vesting requirements for private pension plans but not transfer of vested monies to the new employer when an employee changes jobs. Unless problems of increased employer costs and possible employee benefit losses are resolved, a mandatory portable pension concept is unlikely. (MF)

Company-sponsored wellness programs are particularly important for older employees inasmuch as they are at greater risk of disease and disability than are their younger counterparts and their health care and health insurance costs are generally higher. As the cost of retirement benefits rises, wellness programs for retirees are becoming…

The Retired Operating Staff Employment Services program brings to the University of New Hampshire a pool of skilled, experienced former employees as applicants for temporary employment throughout the campus. The system suits the needs of both the retirees and the university, costs less, and is deemed applicable to all institutions. (MSE)

Explores some of the major features of proposed health care plans, which, if enacted, are likely to have a significant impact on school districts' operations, budgeting, and benefits planning. Contains a checklist of key steps districts can take in estimating and planning for the impact of health care reform. (MLF)

Air traffic controllers no longer able to perform their highly specialized duties must be removed in the interest of aviation safety. Because few employment opportunities exist outside the government for controllers' skills, Congress established a second-career training program in 1972 for controllers so removed by the Federal Aviation…