This article discusses the impact of resource reallocation by colleges and universities using Virginia Commonwealth University as an example. Alternative areas for creative reallocations noted include increased productivity/efficiency, quality improvement, growth by substitution, targeted fund raising, planned savings, categorical funding, tuition…

Examination of retrenchment clauses in the faculty union contracts at 42 colleges and universities focused on implications for tenure rights and the roles prescribed for faculty and administrators. Concepts of financial exigency and shared governance are highlighted. Contracts were found to provide faculty with a limited and reactive role during…

Describes efforts of an advocacy group of parents, outdoor educators, and classroom teachers to preserve outdoor education in Peel in the face of budget cuts. Despite efforts, a task force recommended the elimination of numerous teaching positions, resulting in reduced programming at outdoor education centers. (LP)

Describes how staff at an outdoor education center responded to budget cuts and the threat of program cancellation by encouraging outside use of the center for a fee, and by developing a partnership with the Demonstration Forest Program, resulting in improvement to nature trails and the reinstatement of day-trip programs. (LP)

In response to declining state resources, institutions often increase faculty/student ratios and teaching loads to help balance budgets. In order to gain a clearer sense of the consequences of such courses of action, the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) undertook a survey of the total workload of all full-time…

In 1992, economic recession and the resulting drop in anticipated revenues placed the Illinois educational system in a state of financial crisis. Two related developments included delayed state aid payment and a 3-percent budget recision. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the effect of the decline in funding on Illinois public…

Providing both state-level and individual college data, this two-part report examines the effects of revenue shortfalls on the California Community Colleges during the state's economic recession in the early 1990's and reviews strategies employed to cope with the shortfalls. The first part examines the effect of the recession on the community…

This report describes a financial and governance crisis that occurred in the California Community Colleges between 1981 and 1987. Following prefatory materials, chapter 1 provides an overview of the system, describing growth between 1950 and 1980, funding, governance, and the colleges' mission. Chapter 2 presents background to the crisis up to…

This paper describes Illinois' program for warning school districts of impending financial troubles and the reactions of superintendents to the state's "early warning" program. In February 192, the State of Illinois issued a list of 111 school districts, out of a total of 946 districts, that were on the Financial Watch list. Of…

This collection of papers, based on an April 1993 conference at the University of Illinois, mixes theoretical reflection with practical advice concerning academic life in the 1990s. "A Report from the Front," by Cary Nelson and Michael Berube, introduces the collection. Part 1, "Professors and Politics," includes these papers:…

California state legislators are showing a lack of long-term leadership and vision in their planning for the state's higher education needs as indicated in their recent decisions regarding increased tuition and fees. California's public higher education system stands at the nexus of two powerful trends: the long-term social, demographic,…

This report reviews economic factors affecting the universities of Ontario, Canada. In 34 tables and 25 figures it provides comparative data with other Canadian and American institutions over the past 15 years. An executive summary reveals that operating grants from the Ontario government have been declining, and that many universities have been…

Data from a 2002 study indicate that small private colleges have been closing at an alarming rate. These institutions seldom possess the resources that might enable them to respond flexibly to changes in their environment, and rising operating costs and inadequate endowments leave them at a competitive disadvantage compared with public colleges…

Discusses tribal colleges' struggles with lower-than-promised federal appropriations, including difficulties related to governance and planning and the threat of closure. Describes possible alternate means of funding, such as forward funding one year in advance, funding from state governments, and private funding from tribal governments or private…

A 1991 survey of 125 public universities, private research and doctoral universities, private comprehensive, and private liberal arts/other colleges investigated the type of institutional cost containment measures taken in fiscal 1992 and nonfaculty and faculty personnel and salary actions during that period. Results illustrate the effects of…