Campus activities programmers are offered suggestions to make the budgeting process clearer. They include knowing funding sources, understanding distribution of funds, monitoring encumbered funds, developing a system to keep track of how funds are spent, avoiding overspending and handling re-appropriations, setting aside reserves, and asking for…

The treatment of the dental teaching clinic as an economic entity within the dental school with identifiable specific resources, costs, and revenues is explained. The approach is proposed as a first step in increasing net patient revenues to alleviate economic pressure. The University of Connecticut's program is used as illustration. (MSE)

A microcomputer-controlled system for instrument processing and billing for complex analytical instruments funded by multiple sources in the University of California at Berkeley's College of Chemistry is described and its potential applications in other administrative situations are outlined. (MSE)

Personnel responsible for telecommunications systems need a way to ensure pursuit of the right technology at the right time does not lead them away from considerations of the right price. A three-step method of historical and monthly reviews offers a straightforward means of regaining control of expenditures and tracking costs. (MSE)

Features of microcomputer systems and software that can be useful in administration of research grants are outlined, including immediacy of reporting, flexibility, accurate balance availability, useful coding, accurate payroll control, and forecasting capabilities. These are contrasted with the less flexible centralized computer operation. (MSE)

Installation of a small computer and the use of specially designed programs has proven a cost-effective solution to the data processing needs of a university medical center's ophthalmology department, providing immediate access to grants accounting information and avoiding dependence on the institution's mainframe computer. (MSE)

Basic algebraic formulas for calculating research program budgets are explained, using time-tested examples of cost-sharing, fringe benefit, and indirect cost calculation. The method is suggested as a tool for teaching both novice research administrators and researchers. (MSE)

The project accounting system used by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Chemical Sciences exchanges financial data with the campus' central accounting system and allows integration of this information with user-entered data to produce an easily read, fully obligated project accounting statement for the budget and period…

A new Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) advisory, designed for colleges and universities to use in accounting for gifts and pledges according to new Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) regulations, is summarized. The publication is entitled "The Impact of FASB Standards 116 & 117 on Development Operations: An…

This training guide is intended for use by personnel who administer Federal Direct Loan Programs at institutions of higher education. Chapter 1 describes the program, the school's role, school eligibility criteria, the Department of Education's role, the 7-step electronic data exchange (EDE) process, and quality assurance. Chapter 2 explains…

The experience of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in adopting a cost-recovery strategy for systems development is described, providing information of use to all managers. Issues addressed include establishing revenue goals, marketing and promotion, contracting with clients, and time accounting and billing. (Author/MSE)

This training guide for a one-day workshop provides an introduction to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program for administrative personnel at higher education institutions. The six sections of the guide, each corresponding to a workshop session, include activity sheets, questions for participants to answer, and space for notes. Following…

A revision in the federal regulations governing audits of student financial aid programs will require changes in present practices concerning student aid "servicers" that administer financial aid in small institutions and may lead to modifications in servicing contracts and financial terms. The new requirements are described in detail. (MSE)

This manual provides instructional information for conducting a 2-day workshop aimed at training fiscal officers concerning their role in administering Title IV student financial aid. The workshop focuses on essential procedures, requirements, and responsibilities for proper fiscal officer administration of Title IV programs; and offers guidance…

Some capabilities and limitations of microcomputers for use by research administrators in pre-award activities and information processing are described, including word processing, electronic spreadsheets, database management, terminal emulation, and graphics presentations. Cost effectiveness is also considered. (MSE)