In December 2010, the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) staff surveyed public universities in other states to learn how they have dealt with cuts in state funding. All of the institutions CPEC surveyed have increased tuition and or fees at least once in the last two fiscal years, and many project additional increases. All have…

The logic of political economy depends on a domestic metaphor, using the "oikos" or household as a model for the "polis." Historically, this metaphor has imagined citizens as the children of a paternal state. However during the 2008 housing crisis, this metaphor was turned upside down, depicting citizens as the parents of infantile state…

Financial problems plague both higher education and health care, two sectors that struggle to meet public expectations for quality services at affordable rates. Both higher education and health care also have a complex bottom line, heavy reliance on relatively autonomous professionals, and clients who share personal responsibility for achieving…

The British system of student loans has a zero real rate of interest, less than it costs the government to borrow the money. This paper discusses the problems that arise from interest subsidies in the UK system of student loans; systems in other countries, for example Australia and New Zealand, face similar problems. The topic appears to be narrow…

This article is a personal faculty perspective regarding academic accreditation. It describes the psychological process and consequences of losing accreditation. Compton Community College was one of the oldest community colleges in California and has served a diverse population of students for over 50 years. As a result of severe administrative…

Once a financially healthy part of American universities, many academic health centers are struggling to survive. Many are merging with for-profit chains or declaring bankruptcy. The advance of managed care and insurance companies focusing on reducing costs appears to be affecting teaching hospitals more than community hospitals. (MSE)

Several problems in reporting and presentation of Higher Education General Information Survey (HEGIS) data that might affect data comparability are outlined and recommendations of a HEGIS study group are presented. Suggestions range from increased institutional involvement and increased feedback to institutions, to improvements in data storage and…

Describes a study to measure the cumulative financial condition and the financial progress of Pennsylvania's higher education institutions and to develop and refine measures of financial condition. Information covered includes trend consensus, source of financial data, presentation of the analysis, and accomplishments. (MLW)

The 1984-1985 operating fund requirements for Ontario higher education institutions are examined. It is suggested that relative to other jurisdictions and to the early 1970s, Ontario universities are seriously underfunded and falling further behind each year. Statistical tables include the following: funding recommendations of the Council of…

Past, present, and future costs and funding of graduate dental education are reviewed and compared with those in predoctoral dental education. Major environmental factors affecting fiscal survival of dental schools are analyzed. Different types of program needs are taken into account. (MSE)

Financial indicators to describe and measure the condition of colleges and universities are discussed including: determining capital charges against current revenues, analyzing revenue structures, dissecting the expenditure structure, and restating current fund revenues and expenditures. (MLW)

Over the past 15 years, California has significantly increased fees for its residents attending the State's public colleges and universities. All three of California's public postsecondary education segments charge resident students a systemwide enrollment fee. In addition, the California State University and the University of California also…

California charges students enrolled in academic graduate degree programs more to attend the State's public universities than it charges undergraduate students. The rationale for this differential stems from two principle factors. First, providing graduate courses is generally more expensive than the cost of providing undergraduate courses.…

The ways that British universities allocate their resources are discussed, with attention to different styles, techniques, and decison-making structures. Since the purpose is to describe institutional models of resource allocation, specific universities are not identified by name. After identifying the sources of income and the breakdown of…

The California Guaranteed Student Loan Program is described, and information is provided on the characteristics of student borrowers. Attention is also directed to: the effect of students' total accumulated indebtedness on their education and careers; California's default rates compared with those of other states; differences among institutions in…