When "crisis" and "extramural funding" are mentioned, most academics think about problems such as the low percentage of proposals funded by federal agencies (now approaching single digits in many fields) or inadequate indirect-cost recovery rates that fail to reimburse universities for all costs of research. These are great problems draining…

The prosperous 1980s will be followed by an economic slowdown challenging to higher education. Faced with slower public, private, and endowment revenue growth and increasing operating costs, institutions will have to make tough choices. Data on government contributions, private gifts, endowments, expenditures, and shifting allocations are offered…

Key trends in higher education in the 1970s are summarized, and the current condition of higher education in terms of its human, physical, and financial resources is reviewed. Attention is directed to progress to broaden access to higher education, to preserve quality programs and services, and to maintain fiscal health. Data are presented to…