Examines the role of electronic academic journals in scholarly communities. Discusses ways in which the journals support and alter the development of scholarly communities including enhanced communication, cost effectiveness, dissemination speed, preprint distribution, and collaborative texts. Describes experiences with one electronic journal…

Examines the use of videoconferencing and video broadcasts for distance learning and presents examples: the Georgia Statewide Academic and Medical System, California State University System, Kansas City Education Network, Impact North Carolina, the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, National Technological University, GALAXY Classroom, and…

The phenomenon of empowerment in evaluation is examined by hypothesizing possible benefits and harms that may accrue from the program development process and the impact both may have on the evaluation. The evaluation of the Health Care Intervention Service of New York State offers an example. (SLD)

A study found that formal federally mandated equipment screening requirements are negligible in meeting their stated objectives of preventing purchase of unnecessary/duplicative equipment. Savings resulting from purchases not made represented under 0.008 percent of all federal dollars used to purchase equipment, with $10.35 spent for every dollar…

Presents the California plan for water demand management. Water conservation techniques are used to balance demand with supply. Discusses the implementation process: (1) water-use and service area analysis; (2) water-use forecasts; (3) benefit-cost analysis; (4) and development of a long-term water management plan. (17 references) (MCO)

The wellness program is applied within the higher education setting as one means to control health care costs. Discussed are the program's design, objectives, content, facilities, structure and staff, financing, and evaluation. It is noted that wellness programs are not only cost effective but can help to improve morale and increase productivity.…

Initiated at Albemarle Public Schools (Virginia), an onsite inservice trains teachers how to intervene early in the school year. The Student Advocate Program in the Rincon Valley Union School District (California) releases teachers from classrooms to meet with students on a one-to-one basis. (MLF)

The province of Ontario has taken a lead in promoting the development of multiuse facilities. The advantages include the following: (1) saving labor and utilities costs; (2) maximizing programing; (3) improving quality and quantity of service; (4) guaranteeing nonpartisan access to public facilities; and (6) providing one-source shopping for…

A discussion of Boston College's system allowing students to display and print their campus records at automated teller machines (ATMs) around the institution looks at the system's evolution, current operations, human factors affecting system design and operation, shared responsibility, campus acceptance, future enhancements, and cost…

The potential gains in efficiency of three types of contracts in college administration are contrasted. Contract types include explicit contracts in the budgeting process between the state and higher education institutions; institutional contracting for inputs; and interinstitutional contracting. The tradeoff between production cost savings and…

This cost-benefit analysis of Peruvian vocational and technical education (VTE) partly substantiates previous research suggesting that VTE in developing countries fails to offer a return commensurate with its cost. The costs of academic and VTE streams in Peru are similar, and graduates' monetary returns and occupational profiles are almost…

Investment of time and funds by New Zealand students was appraised in five specific tertiary education courses, namely Accountancy, Dentistry, Law, Medicine, and Pharmacy. The study used the Internal Rate of Return Method and data from the 1981 census on income and hours of work. Results indicated the courses were "profitable" even when…

Arguments for and against formal alumni chapters are outlined. Pros include increased membership, better leadership, and strengthened development potential; cost effectiveness is possible. Cons include direct and indirect costs; informal alumni structures are seen as equally effective. (MSE)

States are enacting new laws and policies that require colleges and universities to demonstrate efficiency, quality, and sound stewardship of public money. School accountability is regaining prominence in a period of shrinking state budgets and taxpayer concern about rising costs. (MSE)

Approaches to the economics of training and personnel development are reviewed, and results from an empirical survey of 450 Swedish training managers are summarized with regard to competence as a production factor. Preconditions for an economics of competence include a long-range perspective and combining qualitative and quantitative variables.…