Fiscal responsibility matters at institutions of higher learning, especially when they are public and supported by taxpayers, but colleges are not businesses. The consequences of fiscal irresponsibility profoundly affect students, faculty, and staff, as well as teaching, research, and service activities. This essay gives a brief history of the…

Researchers have noted the limited amount of scholarly explorations of the practice of outsourcing administrative services in higher education. This dissertation seeks to add to the body of literature pertaining to the subject by examining the experiences of three universities that grappled with the decision. Using a qualitative approach and a…

Universities in the United States are hardly novices in international initiatives, yet overseas projects today, although enticing, often seem novel to them, long experience notwithstanding. A number of motivators drive the new zeal to go overseas. Among these are a resolve to stay competitive in this era of heightened inter-institutional…

The major legal issues surrounding trustee financial exigency decisions, the fiduciary duties of trustees to preserve net institutional assets, and potential trustee liability for a decision to close an institution prior to bankruptcy are examined. (Author/MSE)

Examines the merger of Williamsport Area Community College (WACC) and the University of Pennsylvania, necessitated by the city of Williamsport's decision to discontinue its sponsorship of WACC. Considers the principles underlying the merger, legal questions, reactions from within WACC and the surrounding community, and the benefits of the merger.…

The legal developments regarding dismissal of tenured faculty members because of financial exigency are considered. Attention is directed to, the ability of the public or private institution to dismiss and the constitution of a state of financial exigency and a bona fide dismissal. A standard for claiming financial exigency that was suggested by…

The involvement of state agencies in program discontinuance in higher education was studied, based on the responses of 46 agencies. It was found that 32 state agencies were actively involved in recommending, initiating, or enforcing actual discontinuances. The following eight categories of obstacles to program discontinuance were identified: legal…