Earning a college degree is a major pathway to economic mobility. Although Black women enter college at higher rates than white, Hispanic, and Black men (for example, in 2020, Black women enrolled in college at a 40% rate, compared to 37% for White men, 31% for Black men, and 30% for Hispanic men) they still face barriers to degree completion,…

Many small institutions face difficulties, and the person who bears the brunt of dealing with those challenges is the college president. While each situation is unique, presidents can learn from the experiences of others, and at the very least, commiserate with each other regarding the challenges they face, especially when their institutions are…

Educational leaders not only face moral and ethical decisions regarding their classrooms, schools, districts, and education institutions, but they also must consider the complexities and threats that impact their communities. In this unstable era of war, terrorism, natural disasters, accountability, and high stakes testing, this process is…

What happens when school personnel, or family members of one's students are laid off, are out of work for months, and their unemployment insurance ends? What happens when students complain that they can't find after-school or summer jobs? When these things occur, people worry about what will happen to them and to those they care about. Students…

Colleges and universities, like corporations and other nonprofit organizations, are subject to periodic fluctuations in the economy and public support. Thus, the question is not whether they will confront financial problems but rather when and how. This article describes how institutions and boards can detect budgets in crisis, provides principles…

Colleges and universities are facing difficult choices as insurance companies cancel coverage or demand premium increases of up to 800 percent. The current crisis is blamed on the way the industry has been managed. Financial managers, rather than underwriters, took over the industry. (MLW)

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) documents dimensions of quality in undergraduate education and provides information and assistance to colleges, universities, and other organizations to improve student learning. Its primary activity is annually surveying college students to assess the extent to which they engage in educational…

Higher productivity must become internalized in college institutional cultures and recognized as a strategic issue for long-term reasons of educational quality and robust survival. The primary challenge is not downsizing but right-sizing for available resources, mission, and quality standards. The concept of selective excellence must prevail. (MSE)

Describes the scope of financial problems facing community colleges, and typical college responses. Traces the history of college planning approaches. Recommends proactive planning (i.e., conceptual, adaptive, anticipatory, and action-oriented planning) as the most appropriate response to existing and coming financial challenges. Identifies ways…

Provides statistics on the United States' national debt and the budget deficit and warns of the dangers to the next generation if excessive federal borrowing does not stop now. (IW)

Takes a strong stand against the Reagan Administration's conservative agenda aimed at promoting the interests of United States business while cutting back on domestic programs. Suggests that the administration is using the deficit "crisis" it helped create to justify cutting domestic programs and is relying on inadequate and misleading…

Managing college or university budget reduction involves more than careful matching of available dollars and essential and high priority programs. It is necessary to (1) have in place appropriate individual/personal policies and institutional policies and data; (2) take steps to decide on budget cuts; and (3) act to implement them. (MSE)

The difficulties faced by colleges and universities in financing physical education programs are discussed. It is pointed out that the most popular physical activities at the higher education level (such as tennis, golf, scuba diving) require very expensive programs in terms of specialized equipment, transportation, or specialized instruction.…

Details strategies used by community colleges to successfully manage the financial risk inherent in performance contracting. Compares the results of training under the Job Training Partnership Act and California's Employment Training Panel from the perspective of a college administrator. (AYC)

Student loans have become an essential ingredient of financial planning for college. The Guaranteed Student Loan Program's default rate is over 10 percent. World Bank and other international data suggest three solutions: longer repayment terms, graduated repayment schedules, and forgiveness for individuals choosing public service. (8 references)…