The Further and Higher Education Act (1992) heralded a significant change in funding the British further education sector. Incorporation of colleges means that financial decisions are now made at a college level, not by local education authorities. In assuming financial accountability, colleges have struggled to make commercial decisions in a…

An Arizona district funded staff salary raises by developing some workable budget-reduction strategies. The process emphasized garnering board and community support and collaborating with employee groups. A list of 67 ideas for generating revenues or reallocating program dollars represented $9 million in savings. A condensed list saving $3 million…

Results of California study that indicate, among other things, that hiring more administrators raises verbal SAT scores and lowers dropout rates. Findings also suggest that reducing class size and hiring more teachers but fewer administrators may not raise student test scores--at least in California. (PKP)

Examined the relative efficiency of 10 South African universities between 1994 and 1997 using the analytical review technique. Identified the relatively efficient, relatively inefficient, and least efficient. Important efficiency factors include student population dimensions, quality and deployment of personnel resources, and allocation of…

Presents an expenditure structure organized into nine elements that help reveal the educational strategies behind a school's use of resources. Structure also includes a set of resource indicators. When school budget data and resource indicators are organized according to the expenditure structure, strategies such as class-size reduction and a…

Attempts to provide useful data concerning higher education costs by instruction level. Analyzes case study results to determine the ratios between unit costs of providing instruction at lower-division, upper-division, and graduate levels. Considerable care must be exercised in developing and using cost ratios in funding or allocation formulas.…

Analysis of the relationship between performance data and changes in faculty size of 40 departments in a College of Arts and Sciences during a time of financial stress found that the rational choice model was applied to decision making. There was a systematic relationship between objective, evaluative data and policy decisions. (MLW)

The common campus dilemma of decreasing or distributing central information systems (IS) resources while pursuing development of mission-critical systems that will require increased central IS support is discussed. Areas in which such increased support is needed are outlined, and the need for leadership is described. Specific steps are suggested.…

Examined influence of provider settings, organizational structures, and community climates on long-term care resource allocation. Analyzed care plan decisions at four Social/Health Maintenance Organization sites for same seven clients. Found differences by site in eligibility determination, allocation of care plans, types and mix of services…

Critics of the Texas higher education system complain South Texas public colleges have not shared state funds equitably and suggest mergers would allow the small institutions to gain political power and funding for expansion. However, the mergers are seen as only a beginning to the regional upgrading of higher education. (MSE)

Describes a biofeedback technician training program which enabled the University of Arkansas (Little Rock) to solve problems concerning budget, dwindling resources, and the provision of clinical training experiences for students. Reports that, at both graduate and undergraduate levels, this program is cost effective, while providing career related…

Offers strategies for increasing library budgets, based on the pragmatic realities of funding decisions. Strategies discussed include: associating library needs with a more influential constituency; allowing service to deteriorate to intolerable levels; using influential patrons as spokesmen for the library; and appealing to funders' priorities…

Faculty members have a legitimate interest in the amount of budgetary appropriations devoted to salaries and the rank of those appropriations among other institutional priorities. Faculty must protect academic affairs from peripheral activities and must examine the manner in which priorities are developed. (MLW)

Public school systems can adapt private sector strategies to make the most of their resources. The superintendent and the board should develop measurable objectives, agreed upon by the consumers and the producer, for delivering the product. Contracting with commercial companies can reduce costs while increasing services. (MLF)

A discussion of resource allocation for support units in Australian higher education institutions looks at the systems used in other countries to make such planning decisions, analyzes Australian trends, and suggests possible future directions. (MSE)