College officials attribute current low state support for higher education to a worsening national economy, and predict continued cost cutting and increased tension between public and private sectors. Trends also appear to be regional. Detailed data on state appropriations, including a ranking, are included. (MSE)

State governments will spend 14.3 percent more than two years ago on higher education. In general, farm-belt states are providing generous increases, while northeast states are preparing for austerity. (MSE)

Two-year colleges are trying to change legislators' perceptions about their institutions, demanding increased state support, and working together to lobby as a state system rather than as individual institutions. (MSE)

Tight state budgets and regional economic difficulties have prompted a sharp drop in the rate that state appropriations for higher education have increased over the past two years. New England fares well while farm and oil states suffer. (MLW)

A committee studying Texas higher education has withdrawn a controversial proposal to merge institutions, instead adopting a broad set of principles for higher education and specific recommendations for state colleges and universities. The objective is to improve education during state economic decline due to falling oil prices. (MSE)

The National Governors' Association has called on all colleges and universities, public and private, to start comprehensive programs to measure what undergraduates learn, and has recommended that states financially reward institutions starting assessment efforts. (MSE)

A federal appeals court decision suggests that public colleges may not be covered by the Constitution's 11th amendment prohibiting state governments from being sued in federal court. By the ruling, the institution loses immunity by having funds other than state appropriations with which to pay damages in the lawsuits. (MSE)

A report by the Economic Policy Institute suggests that states involving higher education in economic development efforts take care to structure their programs to prevent them from becoming dominated by college interests. (MSE)

Leaders of urban public universities and many state legislators are challenging the high status of states'"flagship" institutions, saying local institutions can serve local needs best, and are unwilling to defer to premier research universities in requests for general support and new programs. (MSE)

A combination of political and economic conditions create a grim outlook for state colleges in most parts of the country, in contrast to the optimism of a few years ago about the use of higher education programs to promote state economies. (MSE)

A report compiled by the Center for Higher Education at Illinois State University, considered to be the definitive study of state financial support for higher education, is described. State appropriations figures continue to follow trends in regional economies. (MLW)

Appropriations requests made by state coordinating boards or individual systems for 1988-89 and the political outlook for higher-education-related legislation are outlined for each of the 50 states. (MSE)

Supporters of Black colleges have said that the threat of court-imposed penalities was an invaluable asset in efforts to win state funds and block proposals to close Black colleges. That leverage is gone with a recent ruling by a federal judge. (MLW)

Bad economic times and the election of a staunchly conservative governor have forced Wisconsin university officials and government leaders into controversy over the future of the University of Wisconsin System. (MSE)

The first decline in state appropriations for higher education in 33 years is largely a result of the recession. Regionally, the East is faring worst. Many states are giving priority to community colleges and student aid. Data and rankings for each state are presented, including figures for major institutions. (MSE)