Over the last decade, almost all of the country's 1,100 community colleges have begun fund raising, some with great success. They are beginning to compete with larger institutions for foundation money. The money supplements operating budgets, and many colleges are building endowments that enable them to offer scholarships and keep student costs…

Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin have invested funds and energy into their local Milwaukee communities through community development and local partnerships. Despite criticism and costs, the projects have raised institutional profiles and improved reputations. (MSE)

Once a financially healthy part of American universities, many academic health centers are struggling to survive. Many are merging with for-profit chains or declaring bankruptcy. The advance of managed care and insurance companies focusing on reducing costs appears to be affecting teaching hospitals more than community hospitals. (MSE)

A national survey of 346 private and 162 public colleges found that the number of institution with billion-dollar endowments grew from 25 to 31, and that all responding institutions had at least some return on investments, ranging from 3.7% to 38% The greatest change was an increase in the amount of money invested in hedge funds. (MSE)

Student activists have put pressure on colleges and universities to toughen licensing codes aimed at eliminating sweatshop labor for college apparel made in other countries, and have had some success. However, oversight of the codes among contractors in developing countries is logistically and economically problematic. (MSE)

With interest rates low and endowment returns high, many colleges and universities are borrowing more than ever. This increasing reliance on bond issues and deficit spending will work if the economy remains strong. Investors appear to be eager to invest in private institutions. Colleges with more aggressive boards are using debt to reposition…

Increasingly, colleges and universities are privatizing housing, attracted to the limited financial outlay and involvement in management. Critics fear that institutions' financial positions will be compromised if the private developers have problems, and that institutions will lose control of financial aspects and quality of residence-hall life,…

The executive vice-president of the University of Pennsylvania is credited with making significant changes in both the administration and the campus, using cost-cutting and change strategies from his business experience. Outsourcing, training for employees who might be terminated, substantial savings and new revenue, and gentrification of…

Many small liberal arts colleges nationwide are facing unprecedented challenges in finances and demographics. Unless they have name recognition, a sizeable endowment, or especially strong academic offerings, most struggle to attract students from outside their regions. To survive, colleges have been urged to expand adult education and distance…

Reports on experiences of eight private Long Island (New York) colleges that compete for similar students. Discussion centers on Dowling College and Adelphi University; and Hofstra, a possible exception with a $100 million endowment, which aspires to become a comprehensive regional university. However, most institutions have scaled down grandiose…

Describes the different approaches taken in managing the resources provided in large donations of forested land to three Southeastern universities: the University of Georgia, the University of Mississippi, and Auburn University (Alabama). Also reports on a survey of forest- owning institutions and notes conflicts over managing the land for income…

Reports on a $1 billion dollar grant from Bill and Melinda Gates to send 20,000 low-income minority students to college. The Gates Millenium Scholars Program will require students to demonstrate financial need and maintain a 3.0 grade point average in college. A list of the largest private gifts to higher education since 1967 is also provided. (DB)

Provides descriptions of the policies and practices that enabled six colleges, once in danger of closing, to achieve turnarounds and regain financial health. The institutions profiled are: (1) Rocky Mountain College, Montana; (2) Bellevue University, Washington; (3) Muskingum College, Ohio; (4) University of the Ozarks, Arkansas; (5) University of…