Maryland's governor, Martin J. O'Malley, didn't get much of his legislative agenda through the General Assembly this year, but he did succeed on one front: preserving enough state aid for the public-university system to stave off a tuition increase for the fourth consecutive year. Like politicians in several states, Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, made…

As state tax revenues plummet, some lawmakers and higher-education leaders are once again looking at loosening the bonds between state governments and public colleges to save money and give colleges the freedom to bolster their bottom lines in new ways. Over the past two decades, college officials have often lamented the growing need to secure…

State appropriations requests for higher education show the amount sought by statewide coordinating boards or by individual systems, not by the governors. All appropriations requests are for operating expenses for the 1987-88 fiscal year. (Author/MLW)

College officials attribute current low state support for higher education to a worsening national economy, and predict continued cost cutting and increased tension between public and private sectors. Trends also appear to be regional. Detailed data on state appropriations, including a ranking, are included. (MSE)

The US colleges are struggling with soaring tuition costs as state support is unable to keep up with enrollment growth, and college officials are becoming more creative in finding ways to reduce expenses. Higher education institutions are increasingly outsourcing non-academic activities, collaborating with other institutions to share goods and…

South Carolina has instituted a system of accountability linked to funding for its public colleges; it includes six measures of faculty, six measures of graduate preparedness to succeed, and five measures of instructional quality. The practice has transformed the way the institution operates, but some educators question the fairness and…

Examines conflict in Texas over whether to increase appropriations for the state's two premier research universities, the University of Texas (Austin) and Texas A&M University, to match comparable institutions in other states, or whether to increase funding to raise the stature of Texas Tech University and the University of Houston. Compares…

Levels of and 2-year changes in state appropriations for higher education are presented for each state and its major institutions, junior colleges as a whole, student aid, and other related appropriations, and the states are ranked, with 2- and 10-year changes and adjustments for inflation indicated. (MSE)

Total state appropriations for higher education reached their highest level ever in fiscal 1996-97, demonstrating strength in public support for higher education and a continuing modest recovery from earlier recession. Black institutions have fared less well than others, overall. Only two states saw two-year declines. Fifteen states accounted for…

A combination of political and economic conditions create a grim outlook for state colleges in most parts of the country, in contrast to the optimism of a few years ago about the use of higher education programs to promote state economies. (MSE)

Appropriations requests made by state coordinating boards or individual systems for 1988-89 and the political outlook for higher-education-related legislation are outlined for each of the 50 states. (MSE)

State spending on higher education has risen up to 30% in some states, with much of the new money paying for technology, upgrading community colleges, and providing funds to college shortchanged previously. Only Alaska and Hawaii showed net decreases. Data on 1997-98 dollar appropriations and percentage changes for each state institution and for…

Budget problems are leading states to limit grants for college students in 1990-91, although overall aid spending is higher than ever. Grant programs not based on need are increasing faster than spending on need-based aid, mostly in awards for academic achievement and programs for equalizing tuition between public and private institutions. (MSE)

South Texas colleges that serve large numbers of minority students have charged that state budget formulas favor flagship institutions serving fewer minority students. A recent state supreme court ruling found that, although Mexican border institutions have historically received less higher education money, increased support has begun. (MSE)

In the 36 gubernatorial election campaigns in 1986, many candidates are stressing the role of higher education in promoting economic development and creating new jobs, and have declared public education a top priority along with other basic state issues. (MSE)