This report is the result of a survey conducted in late 2005 of higher education institution chief financial officers throughout the U.S. Midwest region concerning their plans to manage what was expected to be a substantial increase in the price of energy in advance of the 2005-06 heating season. Although the winter turned out to be one of the warmest on record, and the price of natural gas did not spike as dramatically as many had predicted, energy prices are expected to remain volatile, and such costs continue to be reflected in budget requests and tuition proposals for the 2006-07 academic year. The objective of the survey was to collect and distribute data on institutional planning and management that could be of use to college and university leaders and administrators responsible for finance, business affairs, purchasing, and physical plant operations, to be used as a benchmark experiences across colleges and universities in the region. This report is also intended to inform conversations and collaborations as energy cost containment and conservation become common agenda items in higher education into the foreseeable future. A list of sources for further information is included. (Contains 10 endnotes.)