This chapter presents findings from eight interviews with college and university chief financial officers about institutional borrowing practices during periods of uncertainty and crisis.

This chapter is intended for practitioners and scholars seeking to learn more about organizational finances. A hallmark of the U.S. higher education system is its heterogeneity. From research universities to community colleges, each institution seeks to excel in serving its respective mission. To do so, the institution must have a viable business…

Policies on academic probation and dismissal have existed in the American higher education system for decades to maintain academic quality and encourage students to improve their performance. Research has aimed to clarify the relationship between academic probation, dismissal, and retention, yet differing results emerge. Furthermore, the…

Higher education scholars often investigate the policy mechanisms of external accountability, but rarely explore institutional mechanisms of internal accountability. This chapter, which reports select findings from an in-depth case study of institutional budgeting at an American public research university, examines an underexplored mechanism of…

This chapter describes a comprehensive set of best practices for the evaluation of state formula funding models and state higher education funding in general, based on existing practices within the United States. It represents a review of practices that lead to stakeholder engagement as an objective, collaborative process.

The purpose of this article is to provide insight into the perceptions of college presidents on their role in budgeting and finance. While most of the past research in this area has focused on how to engage and understand budget and finance practices, this chapter sought to highlight the perceptions of the roles of those involved in the process,…

This chapter invites higher education to reimagine accountability within a backdrop of budgeting and financing as it relates to Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). The authors call for more transparency in their pursuit of Latinx-specific funding and the implementation of race-evasive spending. Examples of how institutions, students, and funders…

In this chapter, the experiences of mid-level business and finance staff positions in private colleges are explored to illuminate how they engage the campus environment as they help navigate their institutional fiscal vitality through the lens of empowerment theory. Through qualitative interviewers, findings include how they negotiate shared…

Recent reporting and research have claimed that some regional public universities are vulnerable, fragile, and endangered. However, much of what we know about the financial conditions of RPUs is limited to cases of financial crisis that capture national attention yet fail to fully represent the sector. The purpose of this chapter is to more deeply…

This chapter presents four central themes that are distilled from the volume. First, regional public universities (RPUs) are mission-centered as access- and teaching-oriented and civically engaged institutions. Second, no matter how RPUs are sampled and classified, they are at the center of college access and equity. Third, RPUs deploy lean…

Often Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are viewed and discussed through a deficit-laden lens. In reality, HBCUs--many of which are regional public universities (RPUs)--not only carry a lion's share of the education of Black students but also contribute greatly to the social mobility, economic impact, and increased access to…

In this article, we provide an overview of the rise of academic capitalism based on the ongoing commodification and entrepreneurial trends in higher education. We begin by outlining the historical mission of higher education institutions (HEIs) and shift to discussing the current higher education landscape. In particular, we discuss how strategies…

Securing funding for undergraduate research activities is critical to a vibrant program. Strategies for obtaining funding are described in this chapter.

In ten years, Alaska Pacific University has moved from a totally decentralized administration of its adult online program to a very centralized structure. Drastic changes in funding sources and student needs have compelled the university to take new approaches. As the learning landscape continues to shift for adults, online learners, and Alaska…

Increased use of private funds to support public higher education is essential, but private funding undoubtedly shapes the university in ways that challenge academic traditions, creating a new paradigm for financing the modern university. In this chapter, the author describes the three sources of funding for higher education: (1) tuition and fees;…