In statehouses, school boards, and communities across the US, battles are raging over the direction of education policy--from the standards that are shaping what students learn to how test results are being used to judge a teacher's performance. These battles are being waged against a backdrop of shifting demographics, rapidly developing…

This paper reports on a study of Association of American Universities university presidents' public communications in response to the 2008-2009 economic crisis. The authors present findings from a thematic analysis of 111 letters. The authors highlighted 22 themes and present them within three major categories: factors external to the university;…

Possible changes in U.S. Postal Service rates and services, resulting from a planned restructuring, are discussed. College administrators are encouraged to review mail class use, available discounts, and even the design and quantity of materials mailed out. (MSE)

This study examines (1) the financial consequences of pursuing teaching as a profession in Oregon and (2) the progression of teachers' salaries at three levels of public education (elementary-secondary, community college, and university) over the period 1976-77 through 1985-86. A longitudinal research design focused on two cohorts of teachers:…

A review of the debate within the library profession concerning the changing role of libraries and fee based library services is followed by the presentation and discussion of an economic analysis of library services based on an indifference curve model. This model may be used to justify selected user fees. (CLB)

Examines trends in competitive tendering and contracting (i.e., outsourcing) in Australian universities and their implications for university administrators, using data from a survey of 29 institutions. Looks at institutional policies, costing methodologies, services contracted out, and reasons for contracting out services. Results indicate cost…

With newspapers facing the worst economic slump in the business since the early 1970s, less newspaper space and broadcast time mean less focus on education and harder work for campus public relations professionals who want to get their institution's story out. Several specific techniques and considerations are proposed. (MSE)

Two reports on institutional fund raising ("The Quest for Major Gifts: A Survey of 68 Institutions," 1983, by Addison L. Winship II, and "Seeking Major Gifts: How 57 Institutions Do It," 1991, by Anne W. Altizer) offer examples of how a healthy college endowment provides stability through difficult economic times. (MSE)

Economics is an applied social science whose technical formulations are embedded in a political, social, historical, and cultural matrix. It is the responsibility of educators to understand and to keep abreast of the nation's changing political economy. (IW)

A national survey of colleges and universities found that investment returns on endowment funds continued to be healthy and were slightly higher than the previous year. Market value of endowment assets and life income fund assets for 435 institutions in 1993 are detailed in tables, with some narrative analysis. (MSE)

A variety of ways in which retired college faculty benefit from social services and commercial and professional perquisites, in addition to retirement income, are discussed. It is proposed that these faculty are benefiting at the expense of their younger colleagues and should in turn participate in volunteer public service. (MSE)

Issues in balancing health services and costs in a changing society, where groups have differential access to health care, are discussed, including need for a universal health care system, growing cost of health care for the elderly, prolongation of life among older adults, and the claims of children on services. (MSE)

Analysis of forces affecting reform in Papua New Guinea's higher education financing looks at reasons reform has not succeeded. Research on cost effectiveness of higher education expenditures is examined, policy implementation is discussed, and it is concluded that more emphasis should be placed on investment financing and student contributions.…

A college or university thinking of leasing out facilities for an auxiliary activity on campus should consider including a percentage rent provision in the contract, to benefit from increased sales. Issues to consider include definitions and reporting of gross sales, audits of reported sales, and auditing procedures and reporting. (MSE)

It is argued that colleges and universities have created extremely complex and convoluted accounting/reporting systems using fund accounting. Recent changes in accounting standards should be seen as an opportunity to streamline many of the processes that have been designed to support funds, allowing introduction of other approaches. (MSE)