Explores the decision by colleges and universities to outsource or self-operate school services such as food, bookstores, and maintenance. Discusses factors influencing the decision, the pros and cons of outsourcing, and the importance of maintaining the goal of improving operations. (EV)

Presents survey findings on the extent to which schools and colleges are reducing their use of outsourced non-educational services. The survey results disclose common contract services, reasons why these services are acquired, the number of contract services now used by individual institutions, and the percentage of institutions that expect their…

Explains the factors in successfully implementing a single-card identification system that supports multiple functions on college campuses. Considerations include developing a strategy for integrating campus systems so that separate systems can operate using their own information tracking, and maintaining and updating cardholder information. (GR)

Discusses survey results that show a school district's aversion to privatize noneducational services. Top reasons why some school districts and colleges turn to, or resist, privatization are provided. Also revealed are the administrators who are most likely to be directly involved in privatization efforts and statistics on how much privatization…

Discusses the pros and cons of privatization as a way of saving money while improving non-educational operations. Questions about why some services should be kept in-house are addressed, as well as what to look for when considering outsourcing. One school's experience with outsourcing health-care services is highlighted. (GR)

Discusses the top challenges commonly confronted nationwide by college and universities, and similar facilities and businesses. Challenges include construction and repair, funding, housing, auxiliary services, maintenance and operations, marketing and recruiting, security and safety, staff training and retention, and technology. (GR)