This dissertation studies two distinct but equally essential industries: higher education and water utilities. In the context of higher education, I investigate the impact of subsidies on equilibrium prices and quality levels. For water utilities, I explore the differences between public and private providers in terms of productivity and…

School districts during 1979-80 were faced with a dramatic reallocation of maintenance and operations funds from salaries (a 25 percent reduction from that budgeted) to cover energy costs, with the balance used in a discretionary manner to purchase equipment and supplies and contract salaries as the year evolved. (Author/MLF)

Based upon an engineering and statistical analysis of energy use on community and two-year college campuses, a simple model for describing energy use is introduced and applied to data from 80 campuses to determine average values for the parameters of the model. These values indicate that the use of energy does not depend on the type of heating…

Comparisons are drawn between budgeted maintenance and operations costs for 1983-84 and the preceding 2 years' actual costs. Also provided is a summary of a 10-year comparison of net current expenditures per student, compared with maintenance and operations costs per student. Data are presented for 10 geographical regions. (MLF)

Comparisons are shown between budgeted maintenance and operations costs for 1982-83 and the preceding two years' actual costs. Also provided is a summary of a 10-year comparison of net current expenditures per student, compared with maintenance and operations costs per student. Data are presented for 10 geographical regions. (MLF)

Comparisons are shown between budgeted maintenance and operations costs for 1981-82 and the preceding two years' actual costs. Also provided is a summary of the past 11 years' costs. The largest cost increase is in heating fuel. Data are presented for 10 geographical regions and seven school size categories. (MLF)

School districts during 1980-81 again incurred maintenance and operations cost increases at a higher rate than inflation. Data from individual school districts are divided into 10 geographical regions for computation of regional averages. The districts are also divided into seven size categories that do not reflect regional influences. (Author/MLF)

The costs and performance of contract management of municipal wastewater treatment facilities are considered, using information from a nationwide empirical examination of evidence from individual plants, municipalities, and regulatory agencies. The broad issues arising in the evaluation are outlined as the specifics are discussed. (SLD)

To determine the relationship of various forms of communication to adoption of energy conservation behavior among homeowners, and to compare the energy conserving behavior of those under 65 with those over 65, a three-year panel study was conducted in a Midwest suburban community. Heads of households who owned single family dwellings were…

This document analyzes the causes of a discrepancy between expected electric costs of $19,460 annually based on full occupancy and usage, compared with a 1972 total billing of $49,819, and the fear of a 1974 $53,000 electric bill. A review was made of detailed proposals for 1967 and 1968 submitted to the building commettee to guide them in…

Longitudinal changes in satisfaction with selected community services were examined in three nonmetropolitan counties in central Alabama, focusing on variation in changes across three groups (government officials, business leaders, household respondents) and on the relation of changes in satisfaction for individual services to overall community…

This interview study gathered information about the prior knowledge and thinking of kindergarten to third- graders regarding the supply of water, heat, and light to modern homes. Findings indicated that students possessed only limited and spotty knowledge about utilities in modern homes. Within general trends, there was evidence of growth in…

This publication is a biennial report that presents comprehensive data on higher education facilities staffing, maintenance, and operations. The data were collected in fall 1992 for the 1991-92 fiscal year and resulted in 502 usable surveys. A section of charts, graphs, and statistical reductions: (1) show institutional information; (2) describe…