Underscores the importance of informed decision making through accurate anticipation of cost incurrence in light of changing economic and environmental conditions. Explains the concepts of cost accounting, full allocation of costs, the selection of an allocation base, the allocation of indirect costs, depreciation, and implications for community…

Contains a suggested process for selecting and acquiring administrative microcomputer software. Consideration is given to the general characteristics of good administrative software as well as the specific characteristics of word processing and electronic spreadsheet software. Nineteen references are listed. (Author/MBR)

Describes the management advantages computers can bring to small school districts. Advises purchasers to select quality software first, then purchase a computer that can handle the software. (MLF)

Computer hardware and software alone do not improve a financial management system. They are only the tools that carry out commands. College business offices and related administrative functions must commit effort to improving the overall system. Available from Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co., 345 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10154. (MSE)

A chapter from the "Handbook of College and University Trusteeship" is excerpted, including a discussion of college financial statements and fund accounting. Three matters pertinent to fund accounting are described: transfers between funds, unrestricted and restricted funds, and expendable and unexpendable funds. (Author/MLW)

Describes food service programs administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). (MLF)

Florida voters have authorized two constitutionally guaranteed sources of revenue to fund the capital outlay needs of the state system of public education. These sources are motor vehicle license fees and gross receipts taxes. (Author)

Successful college and university investments hinge on an asset allocation strategy capable of meeting the institution's needs for income and growth in principal at the lowest possible risk. Periodic adjustments must be made when there is a shift in the institution's risk tolerance, modification in need for income distribution, and changes in…

A cash flow analysis is charting expenditures and revenues against a factor of time. Explains how school systems can, by charting the congruency of revenues and expenditures carefully, develop an investment program to take maximum advantage of a positive cash position. (MLF)

The treatment of the dental teaching clinic as an economic entity within the dental school with identifiable specific resources, costs, and revenues is explained. The approach is proposed as a first step in increasing net patient revenues to alleviate economic pressure. The University of Connecticut's program is used as illustration. (MSE)

Despite 1992 federal law, most American colleges receiving gifts from foreign corporations, foundations, and nations have not reported them. Institutions cite ignorance of the law. Some gifts apparently were reported but not cited in the Education Department's registry of foreign gifts. Twenty-eight large foreign gifts, grants, and pledges to…

A revision in the federal regulations governing audits of student financial aid programs will require changes in present practices concerning student aid "servicers" that administer financial aid in small institutions and may lead to modifications in servicing contracts and financial terms. The new requirements are described in detail. (MSE)

The relationship in college administration between cost effectiveness/cost reduction and planning, management, and evaluation is explored, and approaches to cost accounting and financial ratio analysis are discussed. It is concluded that it is important to emphasize institutional mission and people rather than cost containment and productivity.…

A survey of 120 top independent national liberal arts colleges ranked in "U.S. News and World Report" compared the structure of their financial reports to those of publicly held corporations. Results indicate that the colleges' forms strongly resemble those of corporations, but are not as readable as the corporate forms. (MSE)

Discussion of fiscal management in the reformed higher education systems of Eastern/Central Europe begins with analysis of reform attempts in two British universities and relates them to Eastern and Central European issues. It is argued that institutions must adopt a holistic approach to managing change and for addressing various staff, structure,…