There’s a standard practice in academia that’s highly valued; yet, at many colleges and universities, the policies and procedures surrounding it haven’t changed in decades. Until now. The faculty sabbatical has been around since Harvard University first offered it to its teaching staff in 1880. Since then, sabbaticals have become a rite of passage for […]
The U.S. economy has been through major changes in the last several years, and the effects are being felt on campus. In many cases, this turmoil shows up publicly in the form of a credit-rating downgrade. On some campuses, a change in the credit rating has no effect on the day-to-day operations; on others, it […]
As long as there are assignments for college students to research and write, it’s likely there will be copiers and printers to help. Good news for paper and copier companies, for sure, but bad news for institutions such as expansive Houston Community College, at least until recently. HCC’s six colleges and 27 sites allow it […]
Rising operating costs, unstable revenue streams and continued tough economic times are forcing the campus CFO's role to grow, say higher ed presidents surveyed by executive search firm Witt/Kieffer. In the report, 14 presidents from a mix of public and private institutions of all sizes commented on today's financial pressures. "What was most surprising was […]
Georgetown University officials had a bit of an epiphany recently about the impact of their noncredit courses. While the offerings had been around since the 1990s, administrators hadn’t realized the big benefits they could bring to the institution. “What started as fairly standard, adult-education, personal-interest type of courses has evolved into a major part of […]
George W. Hynd has been named the sixth president of Oakland University (Mich.), succeeding Betty J. Youngblood, interim president since July 2013. Hynd formerly served as provost and executive vice president of academic affairs for the College of Charleston (S.C.). There, he created new undergraduate and graduate degree programs in African American studies, exercise science, […]
Higher education is big business, but many schools are operating with barely more fiscal security than the average kid’s lemonade stand. Thefts from colleges are persistent, increasing and coming from all around campus. Common targets for embezzlers include bookstores and cafeterias, tuition collection, and even government grants to professors. Administrators should implement a proactive risk […]
Along with enrollment, public funding and debt, providing health care to employees will be among the top financial pressures on higher education in the coming years, say several campus administrators. Bill Kelleher, vice president for finance and administration at Western New England University in Massachusetts, says health care is indeed one of the biggest components […]
Student loan default can affect an entire campus, as high default rates negatively impact an institution’s federal funding. Therefore, it is essential to keep cohort default rates as low as possible. The right education and communication strategies can help borrowers gain the financial skills necessary to avoid default. This web seminar, originally broadcast on February […]
The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) voted unanimously in March to implement GASB Statement No. 68, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Pensions. This accounting standard modifies existing financial reporting requirments as well as establishes new ones for governmental entities—including public colleges and universities—that participate in defined benefit pension plans. GASB 68 dramatically changes the way […]
