This study examines the effect of responsibility center management (RCM), a decentralized budget model, on total operating costs at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and the University of Arizona (UofA). Both universities in the study implemented RCM with the primary goal of controlling costs, among other goals. To address the research…

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) recently conducted a survey on the 2009-10 award year Administrative Cost Allowances (ACA), which are funds used by colleges and universities to support operations and professional development. Specifically, ACA is often used in essential areas that support the day-to-day…

An approach to institutional budgeting designed to alleviate accumulated deficits is described. The proposal introduces flexibility into the salary component, alleviating cash flow difficulties in the short to medium term and encouraging more proactive budgeting, by allowing employees to contract for reduced annual salary in exchange for reduced…

In college and university administration, overhead costs are often charged to programs indiscriminately, whereas the support activities that underlie those costs remain unanalyzed. It is time for institutions to decrease ineffective use of resources. Activity-based management attributes costs more accurately and can improve efficiency. (MSE)

Institutions are turning to responsibility-centered budgeting to instill campuswide fiscal responsibility. The approach places budget authority within individual academic units and allows decision makers to see their program's share of overhead expenses. The University of Indiana and Purdue University at Indianapolis have undertaken a joint…

Total cost management, an innovation useful in higher education, is best implemented in the institution's support services. Total cost management is the practice of analyzing and improving an institution's financial and qualitative performance when producing a particular product or service, paying attention to the complete work process and all…

The forces behind Stanford University's cost and price increases are outlined, and the problematic 2 percent difference between income and expenditures that must be resolved each year is discussed. (MSE)

Reaffirms necessary elements for the successful operation of college purchasing and maintenance programs (e.g., purchasing calendar, bidding procedures, vendor selection, contracting services, budgeting for maintenance, and workforce analysis). Discusses ways some colleges are saving on operating costs (e.g., solar energy, energy management,…

The first summaries of the CAUSE National Database, which was established in 1980, are presented. The database is updated annually to provide members with baseline reference information on the status of administrative information systems in colleges and universities. Information is based on responses from 350 CAUSE member campuses, which are…

A supplement to a slide presentation on financial responsibilities of governing boards, suitable for use at a trustee workshop, is presented. A flow of funds model which depicts the five major financial zones (acquisition, allocation, current fund, plant fund, and endowment and similar funds) is the visual devise used through the presentation.…

This book is designed to help college/university faculty and academic administrators become more constructive and knowledgeable participants in the budgetary process. Chapter 1 introduces budgets and the budgetary process, with an explanation of the importance of budgeting in policy making, Chapter 2 discusses economic and political contexts of…

Computerized formula-driven budget models are used by the Washington community college system to define resource needs for legislative budget requests and to distribute legislative appropriations among 22 community college districts. This manual outlines the sources of information needed to operate the model and illustrates the principles on which…

The distribution of funds for university administration and support for a hypothetical state university system using 11 state funding formulas is reviewed. Data for a hypothetical system of 11 institutions of varying size and student level mix were used. The distributions for university administration and support include library support, student…

Issues concerning the conditions of college facilities are considered in 29 papers from the 1985 annual meeting of the Association of Physical Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges. Papers and authors include: "Crumbling Academe" (Harvey H. Kaiser); "Physical Facilities Evaluation" (Henry L. Shelby); "Managing…

The budget decision making process at Stanford University, California, from 1970 through 1979 was evaluated in relation to the allocation of general funds to 38 academic departments. Using Simon's theory of bounded rationality and an organizational level of analysis, the Stanford decision process was tested for its rationality through…