The nation's colleges are feeling the pinch of the economic downturn, and maintenance and operations (M&O) budgets especially are under pressure. This article presents data from the 38th annual Maintenance & Operations Cost Study for colleges that can help one in benchmarking expenditures at one's institution. Data provided only targets two-year…

Spending on construction by the nation's education institutions increased in 2008, reversing four years of declines in total annual expenditures, according to "American School & University"'s 35th annual Official Education Construction Report. One of the reasons for the increase in spending was the fact that the majority of the construction…

Despite the worst economic environment in generations, spending by K-12 institutions on maintenance and operations (M&O) held its own--defying historical trends that have shown M&O spending among the most affected in times of budget tightening. This article presents data from the 38th annual Maintenance & Operations Cost Study for…

Presents findings from an annual report on education construction, which concluded that education construction remained one of the few bright spots in an otherwise lackluster economy. Includes several tables of construction spending data. (EV)

Discusses data from an annual survey of residence hall construction, including the fact that while the total cost and overall size of newly constructed housing facilities remained steady compared with last year's survey, the cost and square footage per resident dropped considerably. Also discusses the focus on amenities in construction. (EV)

An annual survey of school maintenance and operations (M & O) funding concludes, among other detailed findings, that budgets continue to shrink in the face of a weak economy--the sixth year of dropping budgets and the smallest level since the survey began. (EV)

This annual construction report reveals that even as the overall economy continued to suffer, education construction spending reached record heights in 2001, and promises to remain robust through at least 2004. Includes several data tables and figures on spending, costs, and resource allocation, including regional differences. (EV)

This 14th annual residence hall construction report provides data indicating that colleges and universities are investing in new housing construction in a bid to keep students on campus. (EV)

An annual survey of college maintenance and operations (M & O) funding concludes, among other detailed findings, that college spending held steady this year, even in tough economic times. (EV)

An annual survey of physical plant directors at 2-year colleges and 4-year institutions with no significant graduate programs revealed that spending on maintenance and operations (M & O) as a percentage of total budget dropped to 10 percent from 10.5 percent a year ago. Other survey findings are presented in several data tables. (EV)

An annual survey of chief business officers in U.S. public school districts revealed that spending on maintenance and operations (M & O) as a percentage of net current expenditures dropped to a 30-year low of 7.8 percent. Other survey findings are presented in several data tables. (EV)