- Western Governors Takes Hold
December 1, 2012
At a time when new requirements for content development and course delivery are pushing the U.S. higher education sector to innovate like never before, the success of the Western Governors University model is spreading across the country.
- Benefits of a Backward Look by the Board’s Investment Committee
December 1, 2012
It can be far more difficult to evaluate the work of a voluntary committee than that of peers and staff. But, for the board’s investment committee, a look in the rearview mirror can reveal areas of opportunity, the need to reassess individual responsibilities, and ways to improve the group’s overall effectiveness.
- Finishing What We Start
November 1, 2012
The goals of college access and completion are much in the public eye. A session at the 2012 Annual Women Administrators in Higher Education (WAHE) conference in Washington, D.C., in September, gave cause for optimism when early engagement leads students to the higher education path.
- The Cost Benefit of Accommodation
October 1, 2012
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Job Accommodation Network helps higher education institutions create an inclusive work environment for employees with disabilities.
- A Selection of Concurrent Session Summaries
October 1, 2012
The following coverage of the NACUBO 2012 Annual Meeting, in the Washington, D.C., area, shows the variety and depth of programming at this 50th anniversary celebration of NACUBO’s founding. The four articles highlight sessions focused on (1) the cost of donor cultivation and lucrative relationship building, (2) translating institution data into specific plans for ongoing maintenance and capital renewal, (3) effective collaboration in developing research parks, and (4) advice on tax-exempt bond compliance. For expansive coverage of the 2012 annual meeting, see the October issue of Business Officer.
- Mary Lai on Finances, Faculty, and Family
September 1, 2012
The recipient of the association's first Pathfinder Award, presented during the NACUBO 2012 Annual Meeting, shares her observations.
- Common Errors During Financial Emergencies
July 1, 2012
Budget flexibility is key for the chief financial officer when the unexpected occurs. Here are common pitfalls to avoid in dealing with emergencies.
- More Great Ideas That Changed the Business Office
July 1, 2012
Members share their personal take on why they’re able to work better and smarter because of significant new ideas in the last 25 or more years.
- Critical External Relationships of the Chief Financial Officer
July 1, 2012
A plethora of outside pressures requires everything from detailed accountability measures to burgeoning data gathering and financial reporting. Here's a primer that addresses three key compliance areas.
- Management of Business Operations
July 1, 2012
A checklist that includes activities in key functional areas can help you and your division cover all the bases in meeting budget and financial goals.
- STARS Turns Five
June 1, 2012
The sustainability assessment tool now allows institutions to share data with other campus reporting organizations.
- Benefits of a Robust Onboard Orientation
May 1, 2012
An improved orientation process for new hires at the University of South Florida focuses on the big picture of organizational mission, vision, and values—while still gathering the nitty-gritty human resources and benefits details.
- Restructured Facilities Maintenance Processes Lower Costs, Increase Staff Efficiency
April 4, 2012
A pilot project at the University of Michigan demonstrated the significant performance improvements to be achieved by revamping logistics and staffing for maintaining campus facilities.
- The General Counsel and the CFO: Partners in Compliance
March 1, 2012
Increasing fiduciary and compliance responsibilities make collaboration between the legal and business sides of the institution essential to managing all aspects of 21st-century opportunities in higher education.
- Renovation and Revival
February 1, 2012
As a downtown campus, King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, wanted to make sure that maintaining or upgrading appearances was part of its updated campus master plan. The college establishes public and private partnerships to develop and renovate blighted buildings in the area.
- Starting With Sustainability
February 1, 2012
Just as an institution commits to maintaining a link between its mission and its approach to facilities management, it also focuses on the role of energy use in its master planning.
- Finding a Market for Good Ideas
February 1, 2012
The Enterprise Center at Calvin College encourages development of intellectual property and provides an environment for students and faculty alike to move conceptual ideas to practical reality.
- Eight Common Obstacles
January 1, 2012
At many colleges and universities, administrative cost reduction is the centerpiece of a long-term strategy to balance budgets and reduce pressures on tuition. But, the very nature of a higher education institution can make this process very challenging.
- Help Them to Tell Like It Is
January 1, 2012
Want feedback on your institution’s budget and finance processes, but unsure how to get it? Try starting with questions developed by American University when campus leaders embarked on ways to stay ahead of the curve of unanticipated challenges.
- Balancing Expectation and Reality
December 1, 2011
Sustainability has long been part of the conversation among those living on Cape Cod, including the leadership of Cape Cod Community College. With economic constraints likely to persist, the college’s grander energy goals rely on thorough cost-benefit analyses coupled with a big dose of patience.
- Next-Generation Environmental Stewards
December 1, 2011
As colleges and universities make significant strides in effective energy efforts, the CBO is joining other campus leaders in the related decision making. But who will carry the environmental leadership torch into the future? Here are some ideas for starting a conversation that might answer this question.
- A Change Manager’s Wise Counsel
October 1, 2011
Incremental improvements, a five-point plan, and a thick skin helped Norean Sharpe turn around Georgetown’s undergraduate school of business. In her keynote at the recent WAHE Conference, which focused on achieving transformational change, Sharpe shared effective strategies for “getting change right.”
- At UNC, Students Fund Their Own Environmental Efforts
October 1, 2011
In less than a decade, student-led sustainability projects at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have reached a $1 million milestone, and include a residence hall’s solar hot water system and geothermal wells for an education center.
- College Athletics: Necessary, Not Just Nice to Have
September 1, 2011
College and university athletics suffer the occasional black eye, admits the provost at Oklahoma State University, who has viewed this controversial area from several perspectives. Here, he presents the case that college athletics play a key—perhaps even necessary—role in a well-rounded higher education experience.
- Lean Bench, Better Processes
September 1, 2011
With many institutions already having made the difficult decision to downsize staff, the reality for most is that there is more work to do with fewer people to do it. Here’s how one senior leader is handling the challenge.
- Concurrent Sessions Cover Compliance and Collaboration
September 1, 2011
This bonus coverage of the NACUBO 2011 Annual Meeting, in Tampa, Florida, focuses on two presentations about organizationwide activities. One session explains that compliance rules are moving from a “gotcha” enforcement mentality to a “let’s agree on our ethical values” approach. The other describes the reasons why colocating a community college and a university has been such an effective move for both institutions. For comprehensive coverage of the 2011 annual meeting, see the September issue of Business Officer.
- Signs of Recovery for Net Tuition Revenue
June 30, 2011
Findings of the 2010 NACUBO Tuition Discounting Study show that, despite increased discount rates, overall net tuition revenue is recovering from significant drops in 2008.
- Behind the Scenes in Doha
June 30, 2011
After signing an agreement in May 2010 with the Supreme Education Council of Qatar to establish the Community College of Qatar, Houston Community College had only a few months to prepare for CCQ’s first students in the fall. The new college’s chief business officer reflects on the fast-track effort.
- In Higher Education We Trust
June 30, 2011
Giving back, paving the way, securing resources—trustees are responsible for all this and more. Why do they choose to serve?
- Coming to America
June 1, 2011
An American education may give them status and opportunity, but international students worry, “Will I fit in?”
- Green Mountain's Green Energy
June 1, 2011
A student-led study and proposal to replace the oil heating plant with a biomass plant help the college make big gains in curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
- To Innovate, Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
May 2, 2011
Leaders of four institutions that captured NACUBO 2010 Innovation Awards explain how to set the stage for fresh thinking.
- Fostering a Risk-Taking Culture
May 1, 2011
While leaders often focus on success, failure also leaves useful clues. In the book, Whoever Makes the Most Mistakes, authors explain how negative results can be deciphered in ways that make organizations and their leaders smarter and more effective.
- Tough Choices for America
April 1, 2011
NACUBO 2011 Annual Meeting keynote speaker Alan K. Simpson shares his opinions on what the United States must do to regain fiscal sustainability.
- Volatility Dominates Endowment Forum Discussion
March 1, 2011
As endowment performance showed sharp improvement over the negative returns of the past two years, presenters at the NACUBO 2011 Endowment Management Forum focused on issues related to market volatility.
- Student Success Strategies
March 1, 2011
Kaplan Higher Education’s Peter Smith discusses five approaches for enhancing student success.
- Bridging the Distance Gaps
February 4, 2011
Distance learning continues to gain significant ground in higher education enrollments. But, many institutions face several challenges related to cost and access.
- Who's There?
February 4, 2011
Although Millennials are expected to embrace online learning, adult learners also will pursue distance learning as it fits in with their busy schedules and offers solutions for career change and advancement. A recent survey profiles online learners and institutions that serve them.
- Meeting the Challenges of Parking
January 5, 2011
Here are resources, including links to college and university parking Web pages, and information available at the International Parking Institute.
- Market Share Aware
January 3, 2011
American Distance Education Consortium plans several projects to help its members to market their distance education programs—an area that requires a big boost.
- Hot off the Press
December 1, 2010
The University of Kansas is participating in a pilot program to test uses of an on-demand printing system. Turning part of the bookstore into a printing center has reduced textbook costs, allowed the university to serve as a publisher for faculty authors, and provided self-publishing capabilities.
- Eye on the Presidency
November 3, 2010
Dream big. That’s the advice of chief business officers who kept climbing the education career ladder until each reached the top.
- Sessions Review Risks and Returns of Capital Projects
October 1, 2010
This bonus coverage of the NACUBO 2010 Annual Meeting centers on two presentations about working capital. One session advised on attractive partnerships for completing construction projects, while the other outlined a tiered approach to managing capital—from the standpoints of risk and return, cost and rewards, and liquidity.
For comprehensive coverage of the 2010 annual meeting in San Francisco, see the October issue of <em>Business Officer</em>.
- Supply Side Impacts
October 1, 2010
An assessment of most-used products and their related carbon emissions is providing an important baseline for educating Michigan State University’s internal purchasing managers—and determining what can be done to source products closer to home.
- Private Institution Transfer Tactics
September 2, 2010
Although they may first have to overcome a reputation for pricey tuitions, private institutions can compete effectively for top community college students.
- Ask Questions Before You Agree to Agree
September 2, 2010
Forging articulation agreements takes some doing. Here’s some advice for keeping transfers on track.
- Virtual Frugality
September 2, 2010
Cost-cutting and slashed travel budgets have bumped up videoconferencing’s popularity and expanded its application. See how institutions are using it to foster economical communication and collaboration.
- Building a Conflict-Competent Culture
July 2, 2010
In an interview with Lamont Stallworth, professor at the Institute of Human Resources and Employment Relations, Loyola University Chicago, the expert on conflict resolution discusses why college and university leaders should support an integrated approach to conflict management on their campuses.
- In the Market for Student Investors
July 2, 2010
Student-managed investment programs are a growing trend in finance education. Making decisions on “real” portfolios prepares finance students for performance volatility—and makes them hot commodities in a cool job market.
- Looking at Clouds From Both Sides
July 2, 2010
At an EDUCAUSE-NACUBO conference in early 2010, higher education leaders discussed the promise and peril of above-campus computing. After the meeting, EDUCAUSE followed up with some of the participants to dig deeper into the discussion.
- Using Endowed Scholarships to Finance Higher Education
June 4, 2010
With increasing tuition costs, limited financial resources, and increasing student debt, endowed scholarships are playing an even more important role in helping students to fund higher education. Ensuring an efficient management process can make optimal use of this scarce resource.
- The Case for Institutional Advancement
June 4, 2010
John Lippincott, president of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, continues his discussion of fundraising challenges with Craig Bazzani of the University of Illinois Foundation.
- CBOs Reflect on Recession-Related Role Shifts
May 4, 2010
Last fall, NACUBO members answered a short e-mail poll about how the downturn has affected the role of chief business officer. Here are some of their responses.
- Open Invitations for Feedback
April 1, 2010
Members of the campus community can contribute helpful suggestions and guidance, whether decision making involves budget cuts or other initiatives.
- Put On Your Parking Brake
April 1, 2010
Efforts to green transportation at colleges and universities must start with recognizing the total emissions and full costs associated with current parking systems.
- Emerging From the Crisis: Endowment Forum Highlights
March 5, 2010
After a dismal year for endowments, the NACUBO 2010 Endowment Management forum was light on talk of investment opportunities. Rather, presenters warned of ballooning government debt and the downside of excessive monetary expansion; several mentioned gold as a good hedge against paper currencies and inflation.
- When the Price Is Right
March 5, 2010
Whether buying a car or a college education, students are demanding value.
- Access to Added Financial Resources
February 1, 2010
State and federal aid can help students with disabilities finance their college costs. Here are some key sources of support.
- Forging a Strong Chain
February 1, 2010
Founded a decade ago, the Collegiate Retail Alliance brings benefits of buying power, best practices, and technology to dozens of independent college stores.
- Public-Private Partnerships: It’s the Right Time
January 6, 2010
When you couple tight capital with spiraling enrollment, colleges and universities begin to fall behind in developing facilities to accommodate growth. Read how some institutions are striking deals with student housing developers to keep up with residential requirements.
- Higher Ed Hiring Outlook
January 6, 2010
Reports from HigherEdJobs.com and the executive search firm Witt/Kieffer depict slowed job growth this year, but a more hopeful view for FY10.
- First Responders
November 3, 2009
Community and technical colleges are training workers for a sustainable economy, in collaboration with industry partners and others.
- Seeking and Securing Changes That Stick
November 1, 2009
Robin Krakowsky summarizes the major findings in her research of factors that influence an institution’s ability to sustain major upgrades in administrative student services.
- An IT Assessment of Campus Sustainability
October 5, 2009
Here are preliminary findings of a major study on the status of green IT at higher education campuses, conducted recently by the EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research (ECAR).
- Six Strategies for Cutting Virtual Carbon
October 5, 2009
Here are six initiatives colleges and universities are implementing to varying degrees to reduce IT-related costs and energy consumption.
- Customized Training Creates Revenue
October 5, 2009
A nuclear energy workforce development program brings additional revenue to Lakeland Community College, Kirtland, Ohio.
- Extra Inning With Ripken
August 31, 2009
In an interview with <em>Business Officer</em>, baseball great Cal Ripken Jr. builds on his keynote address at the NACUBO 2009 Annual Meeting in Boston. With interviewer John Walda, NACUBO president and CEO, Ripken shares the ways that some of his toughest sports challenges might apply to the tight spots in which business officers find themselves today.
- Key Conference Themes: Serving Students and Promoting Sustainability
August 28, 2009
The NACUBO 2009 Annual Meeting coverage continues online with an article providing advice on student-enrollment strategies and some unusual ways to engage students and campuses in efforts to go green.
- A Tale of Two Systems
August 26, 2009
Enrollment management strategies at the University System of New Hampshire and the California State University System reflect starkly different geographic realities. While USNH projects a dwindling market, CSU is struggling to serve a growing population. Despite the contrasts, each can learn from the other.
- Risk Assessment Reaches a New Level
July 31, 2009
The University of Missouri System is taking a top-down approach to enterprise risk management, focusing on large-scale institutional risks and opportunities.
- Compostable or Reusable?
June 1, 2009
What are the best containers for takeout food on campus? Here are some considerations.
- A Private University’s Decade of Military Support
June 1, 2009
In contrast to institutions that are new to attracting veterans, Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, branded itself as a military-friendly university more than a decade ago. Here are details of Liberty’s approach.
