This article describes the benefits one gets when big schools roll out highly effective eProcurement systems--strategic improvements and savings. eProcurement systems are hot again in higher education, driven by unrelenting cost containment demands, along with industry shifts that have consolidated choices and brought top products to the…

One way colleges can approach cost control is by taking advantages of cooperative purchasing activities with other, similar institutions. Guiding principles for effective efforts include sharing the risk, sharing the resources, providing services to other institutions, and expanding institutional bargaining power through cooperation. Significant…

Describes the development and implementation of a small-dollar procurement card program at the University of Colorado, Boulder, detailing establishment of policies and procedures, adaptation to different departments, transaction review system, card controls, piloting, measures of program success, and specific benefits realized with the new system.…

Twenty ideas for reducing program costs are offered to campus activities programmers. They include using technology wisely, avoiding excess outlay of funds, trading for services, seeking donations and sponsors, co-sponsoring events, buying supplies in bulk, requesting discounts, avoiding unnecessary sales taxes, using telephone services…

Recent improvements in corporate credit card programs have allowed colleges and universities to let end users make their own small dollar purchases. This makes purchasing small items quicker and more convenient and eliminates purchasing department efforts, achieving significant operational savings. However, careful control of the system is…

Even the best educational leaders can be unprepared for the responsibility of spending and accounting for the thousands of dollars that pass through school's books each year. Without a solid understanding of school financial management, administrators may find it a serious distraction from their primary pedagogical mission. They also risk damage…

Large institutional energy users can reduce energy costs by constructing and operating steam and electricity cogeneration facilities and purchasing their own gas at lower prices rather than relying on local distributors. (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,…

This publication was developed in conjunction with a special Tribal Cluster Training, "Collaboration and Accountability as Foundations for Success," held in Portland, Oregon on August 24-25, 2004. This Tribal Cluster Training is jointly sponsored by the Office of Family Assistance (OFA), which administers the Tribal Temporary Assistance…

Following a management summary and introduction, chapters 3 and 4 of this report present findings and recommendations related to the Montgomery County, Maryland, Public Schools process of procuring supplies and equipment (food supplies, fuel oil, warehouse supplies, and maintenance parts) and contractual services (data processing maintenance,…

Reviews the societal and organizational changes affecting school business administration, describes major activities encompassed in the practice of school business administration, and reviews current literature specifically related to such activities as electronic data processing, fiscal planning and budgeting, purchasing and property management,…

To augment the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials in the establishment of the highest standards and practices in school business administration, this manual provides an evaluation instrument of school business functions. Each of the 18 self-evaluation chapters is structured to be used independently and may be utilized in any…

This textbook reviews the principal concerns within each of 13 major responsibility areas in school business administration. The first chapter assesses the political, social, and economic context in which schools function and school administrators work. The role and function of the school business administrator within this context is addressed in…

This textbook of 24 chapters provides administrators and students with information on the role, activities, and responsibilities of the school business administrator. The independently authored chapters are titled as follows: (1) "Introduction to School Business Management" (F. Mike Miles); (2) "Legal Context of the Public School District" (Paul…