Resource Library
Articles
10 Facilitation Techniques that Will Make Your Meetings Sing
Meeteor. 2018
Facilitate engaged, thoughtful meeting participation to secure desired outcomes.
Agenda Activators
Bacharach, S. 2017
A high-potential leadership program identifies four competencies critical in helping higher education leaders move past turf battles and implement change.
A Matter of Priorities
Porter, M. V. 2017
A data-driven, comprehensive analysis of your institution’s programs could identify new opportunities, find efficiencies, and marry your institution’s budget and mission.
An Open Budget Book
Gorzkowicz, M. and Nicolescu, M. 2017
The University of Massachusetts leveraged its multiyear budget forecasts to engage campus leaders and facilitate understanding of risks, opportunities, and long-term financial health.
Big Data and Analytics in Higher Education: Opportunities and Challenges
Daniel, B. 2015
This paper examines the potential for big data to help higher education institutions address the myriad of challenges facing them.
Big-Picture Rewards
Bulls, H., Hoffsis, A. and Swant, S. 2016
Universities are completing ambitious revitalization projects, turning dilapidated spaces into mixed-use, live-work-play neighborhoods.
Change Takes Flight
Porter, M. V. 2015
The University of Kansas launches sweeping transformation in 11 core areas—all at the same time.
Data Propulsion
Porter, M. V. 2019
Three institutions navigate their analytics strategies while finding ways to meet challenges and move forward the goals and values of their campuses.
Digital Disruption
Smith, P. 2017
Transformational change is pushing higher education leaders to rethink the traditional organizational model in ways that align with the digital age.
Economics in Motion
Business Officer Magazine (NACUBO). July / August 2015
Four university presidents, two thought leaders from the Pew Charitable Trusts and American Enterprise Institute, and a faculty member discuss strategies for change in higher ed.
Four Tough Things Universities Should Do to Rein in Costs
Pearlstein, S. 2015
Examines strategies for cost savings.
Funding Ways to Grow
Motley, A. 2018
P3s can help historically black colleges and universities finance their capital projects and, in turn, support increasing enrollments.
Keep Pace with Space
Motley, A. 2016
Dealing with underused or inefficient classrooms, offices, or residential buildings? Here’s how to rework facilities to be more flexible and efficient.
Mission as Muse
Whittington, G. 2017
A decade ago, Elon University envisioned innovative approaches to learning and engagement.
Multipurpose Data
Vanover Porter, M. V. 2017
Campus leaders are studying data in numerous ways to reveal, for example, the secrets for student success and enhanced experience at their institutions.
Mutual Benefits
Sabo, S. 2017
Institutions that collaborate on services have lots to gain, from financial benefits to improved student services.
Rethinking Revenue
Pelletier, S. G. 2012
Universities continue to re-envision revenues in light of declines in and challenges to traditional revenue streams.
Rightsizing Revenue
English, D. 2017
Denison University balanced financial resources with competing priorities by creating a strategic plan focused on outstanding education, strong infrastructure and steady asset growth.
Targeted Partnerships
Mann Jackson, N. 2019
Strategic collaborations between institutions enable mutual opportunities to grow.
The Comeback Campus
Brown, G. 2017
A major focus on the way the budget links to planning, assessment, and decision making jump-started an institutional turnaround at Edinboro University.
What Could Higher Education Look Like in 2025?
Alexander, B. N. 2016
Four possible scenarios for higher education institutions may face in the next decade.
Books
Bridging the Stewardship Gap: Toward Effective Finance Committees
Salluzzo, R. and Tahey, P. 2018
Designed as a tool for board leaders to use to help assure effective financial performance and oversight and alignment of resources with mission.
Business Model Generation: A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
Osterwalder, A. and Pigneur, Y. 2010
Handbook for adaptation of business models.
Checklist for Change: Making American Higher Education a Sustainable Enterprise
Zemsky, R. 2013
Diagnoses the financial challenges facing colleges and universities and prescribes the changes necessary.
College and University Budgeting: A Guide for Academics and Other Stakeholders
Goldstein, L. 2019
Demonstrates the inherent link between planning and budgeting and the critical factors to the success of both.
Consolidating Colleges and Merging Universities: New Strategies for Higher Education Leaders
Martin, J., Samels, J. E. and Associates. 2016
Examines the opportunities and risks of various collaborative types and degrees of collaboration being undertaken by higher education institutions.
Data Strategy: How to Profit from a World of Big Data, Analytics and the Internet of Things
Marr, B. 2017
Packed with case studies and real-world examples, advice on how to build data competencies in an organization and crucial coverage of how to ensure your data doesn't become a liability, Data Strategy will equip any organization with the tools and strategies it needs to profit from Big Data, analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT).
Demographics and the Demand for Higher Education
Grawe, N. D. 2018
Using his Higher Education Demand Index (HEDI), the author explores the demographics of college attendance and the types of colleges attended through the next decade.
Designing the New American University
Crow, M. M. and Dabars, W. B. 2015
Through innovation, universities realize unique and differentiated identities, which maximize their potential to impact quality of life, standard of living, and economic competitiveness.
Developing Spreadsheet-Based Decision Support Systems
Ahuja, R. K.. Eksioglu, S. D, Seref, M. M. H. and Winston, W. L. 2011
Demonstrates the use of Excel for a range of mathematical modeling and analysis techniques.
Discussing the Undiscussable: A Guide to Overcoming Defensive Routines in the Workplace
Noonan, W. R. 2007
Overcome defensive tactics and strategically engage differences to effect change.
Getting Past No: Negotiating in Difficult Situations
Ury, W. 1993
Use common interests to educate nay-sayers and transform opponents to develop lasting solutions.
Going Broke by Degree: Why College Costs Too Much
Vedder, R. 2004
Examines the rising cost of college, asserting the primary cause is falling productivity. Proposed solutions include for-profit institutions, online programs, and privatizing public institutions.
How to Run a College: A Practical Guide for Trustees, Faculty, Administrators, and Policymakers
Mitchell, B. C. and King, W. J. 2018
Experienced as trustees, administrators, and faculty, Mitchell and King write that colleges must update practices, monetize assets, and focus on core educational strategies in order to build strong institutions.
Locus of Authority: The Evolution of Faculty Roles in the Governance of Higher Education
Bowen, W. G. and Tobin, E. M. 2015
Explores the role of shared governance in college and university issues and solutions.
Making Reform Work: The Case for Transforming American Higher Education
Zemsky, R. 2009
Zemsky reviews the writings and initiatives of higher education scholars and leaders to distill key parameters for successful reform of American higher education. He concludes that there must be system-wide innovation focused on student learning, educational attainment and money.
Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services: Reallocating Resources to Achieve Strategic Balance
Dickeson, R. C. 2010
Provides a vision and guide for institutional academic reform.
Reengineering the University: How to Be Mission Centered, Market Smart, and Margin Conscious
Massy, W., F. 2016
Using economic principles and computer models, the author addresses educational performance and cost analysis and suggests ways to change institutional business models.
Strategic Financial Analysis for Higher Education: Identifying, Measuring and Reporting Financial Risks
Cowen, C., Mezzina, L., Prager, F., Salluzo, R. and Tahey, P. 2010
In response to changes in the higher education enterprise, the authors propose revisions to the methods and tools utilized to assess financial viability and sustainability.
Surviving to Thriving: A Planning Framework for Leaders of Private Colleges and Universities
Mann, R. and Soliday, J. 2018
Outlines the pathway that consulting firm Credo uses with clients to advance their sustainability.
Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
Heath, C. and Heath, D. 2010
Combining the rational with the emotional mind can enable transformation.
The Agenda Mover: When Your Good Idea Is Not Enough
Bacharach, S. B. 2016
Strategies to engender support for an idea and successfully develop it through the organization to implementation.
The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization
Senge, P. M. 2006
To be competitive, institutions must become learning organizations.
The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook: Strategies and Tools for Building a Learning Organization
Senge, P. M. 1994
Offers strategies and tools for transforming organizations.
The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations
Kouzos, J. M. and Posner, B. Z. 2017
Coaches leaders to master critical practices to achieve greater organizational impact.
The New Education: How to Revolutionize the University to Prepare Students for a World in Flux
Davidson, C. N. 2017
Explores how innovation in curriculum, pedagogy and organization can benefit both students and institutional sustainability.
The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World
Grashow, A., Heifitz, R. A. and Linsky, M. 2009
Adaptive leadership offers an alternative framework for addressing the problems and challenges that defy traditional approaches that rely on known structures, procedures and ways.
Turnaround: Leading Stressed Colleges and Universities to Excellence
Martin, J., Samels, J. E. and Associates. 2013
Identifies sources of stress for colleges and universities and possible strategies for addressing them.
Understanding Faculty Productivity: Standards and Benchmarks for Colleges and Universities
Middaugh, M. F. 2000
Develops a quantitative and qualitative framework for assessing and communicating dimensions of faculty productivity.
Winning Combinations: A Guide to Mergers and Acquisitions in Higher Education
NACUBO. 2019
This book taps into the experience of higher ed leaders who have initiated, observed, facilitated, participated in, contributed to, and analyzed mergers, acquisitions, and consolidations.
Working Effectively with Faculty: Guidebook for Higher Education Staff and Managers
Christy, S. C. 2010
Understand the culture and systems that have developed around the role of faculty.
Podcasts
CBO Encourages Open Minds When Embarking on a Shared Services Journey
NACUBO. 2017
Augsburg College CFO Beth Reissenweber shares her experience creating and implementing shared services at her institution.
Introducing the Economic Models Project
NACUBO. 2016
Bob Shea and Jackie Askin introduce us to the Economic Models Project, and give us a clear picture of why NACUBO has chosen take a leadership role.
Movers of Rocks: Becoming a Leader of Change
Teibel, H. 2014
Discussion of the complex skills required to facilitate change.
Sustainable Performance Improvement at UC Irvine
NACUBO. 2016
Wendell Brase and his leadership team at UC Irvine, built a management and leadership model designed to measure performance and guide effective management behavior.
Transforming Administration to Support the Academic Mission
NACUBO. 2016
The University of Washington's Ruth Johnston introduces TAP, a program designed to improve service delivery, enhance service to the campus, reduce waste, and reduce costs.
Trends, Innovation, and Hope for Higher Ed of Tomorrow
NACUBO. 2016
Futurist, researcher, and writer Bryan Alexander discusses trends shaking the worldview of those leading today’s institutions.
Reports
2018 Higher Education Outlook Changed to Negative as Revenue Growth Moderates
Moody's Investors Service. 2017
Moody’s 2018 Higher Education Outlook.
2018 Survey of College and University Business Officers
Lederman, D. and Jaschik, S. 2018
Reports on the 2018 survey of college and university business officers conducted annually by Inside Higher Ed and Gallup.
2019 NACUBO Study of Analytics
NACUBO. 2019
The Study, based on survey responses from 334 NACUBO-member institutions, examines the use of analytics in higher education from the business officer perspective.
Alternative Revenues: Can Institutions of Higher Education Balance Mission and Financial Goals?
Lundy, K. and Ladd, H. 2016
Practical perspectives in the search for alternative resources.
Analytics Can Save Higher Education. Really.
AIR, EDUCAUSE and NACUBO. 2020
AIR, EDUCAUSE, and NACUBO stand together with a strong sense of urgency to reaffirm higher education’s commitment to the use of data and analytics to make better strategic decisions.
An Inquiry into the Rising Cost of Higher Education: Summary of Responses from Seventy College
Davis Educational Foundation. 2012
Presidents of 70 institutions identify strategies to respond to the rising cost of higher education.
Between Collaboration and Merger: Expanding Alliances in Higher Education
Thomas, M. K. and Chabotar, K. J. 2015
Exploration of the range of cooperative relationships colleges and universities can undertake.
Cost Structure of Post‐Secondary Education: Guide to Making Activity‐Based Costing Meaningful and Practical
Anguiano, M. 2016
This white paper seeks to provide post‐secondary education leaders a framework and guide to categorize their institutions’ costs to better inform decision making.
Course-Level Activity-Based Costing as an Academic and Financial Tool
Massy, W. F. 2019
Describes the reasons for adopting activity-based costing and the information it can provide to assist in understanding and decision-making about the academic enterprise.
Current State of Financial Health for Private Masters and BACC Institutions
Salluzzo, R. and Tahey, P. 2018
Using their proprietary database, the authors assess the financial health of 800 private colleges and universities. They conclude that the majority are under severe financial stress.
Financial Ratio Analysis Project Final Report
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. 1996
Recommendation to U.S. Dept. of Education on measures to assess five dimensions of institutional financial health: viability, profitability, liquidity, debt capacity and capital resources.
Focus on the Future: Making Difficult Decisions
Mrig, A. and Sanaghan, P. 2016
Six college presidents discuss the skills and courage required to make difficult decisions and implement change.
Innovation and the Independent College: Examples from the Sector
Council of Independent Colleges. 2018
This CIC report presents an overview of the major points of discussion held during a series of workshops focused on the future of independent colleges. The report references hundreds of examples of mission-driven innovations shared by the colleges and universities that sent teams to the workshops.
Key Challenges in Higher Education: An Economic Models Perspective (pages 20-26)
Askin, J. A. and Shea, B. 2016
Leaders of NACUBO’s Economic Models Project, Jacalyn Askin and Bob Shea, describe the purpose of the project and initial findings.
Mergers in Higher Education: A Proactive Strategy to a Better Future?
Azziz, R., Hentschke, G. C., Jacobs, L. A. and Ladd, H. 2017
Delineates the operational planning and implementation necessary to successful mergers of colleges and universities.
Mission-Driven Innovation: An Empirical Study of Adaption and Change among Independent Colleges
Hearn, J. C. and Warshaw, J. B. 2015
This CIC report explores change efforts at independent colleges related to cost containment and reduction, as well as revenue enhancement and diversification.
Possible Futures for Higher Education’s Economic Model
Askin, J. A. and Shea, B. 2016
NACUBO White Paper describes the range of innovative approaches and strategies higher education institutions are undertaking to assure continued financial viability.
Rating Methodology: U.S. Not-for-Profit Private and Public Higher Education
Moody's Investor Service. 2011
Explains the measures used to assess credit ratings of higher education institutions.
Ratio Analysis in Higher Education: New Insights for Leaders of Public Higher Education
Prager, McCarthy and Sealy, LLC. 2002
Presents financial ratios to assist in understanding and interpreting financial statements.
Striking a (Local) Grand Bargain: How Cities and Anchor Institutions Can Work Together to Drive Growth and Prosperity
The National Resource Network, 2015
Ford Foundation study to examine how cities and colleges/universities (and other anchor institutions) are working on synergy rather than just coexistence.
Strategic Change and Innovation in Independent Colleges: Nine Mission-Driven Campuses
Ciarimboli, E. B., Haern, J. C. and Warshaw, J. B. 2016
This CIC report profiles nine independent institutions that undertook changes to adapt and ensure future financial health and viability.
The Financial Resilience of Independent Colleges and Universities
Council of Independent Colleges. 2017
This CIC report examines 14 years of data to answer questions about the financial health of small and mid-sized private colleges and what characteristics influence their resilience.
The Financially Sustainable University
Denneen, J. and Dretler, T. 2012
Discusses possible strategies for the reinvention of higher education.
The Future of Higher Education: Will Higher Education Seize the Future of Fall Victim to It?
Mrig, A. and Sandaghan, P. 2018
A current view of the issues challenging higher education institutions' sustainability and some potential strategies to address.
The Future(s) of Public Higher Education
Selingo, J. J., Clark, C. and Noone, D. 2018
Authors discuss five possible models for public colleges and universities that can improve student outcomes while realigning institutional structures and resources.
The Public Good, Productivity and Purpose: New Economic Models for Higher by Education
Shaker, G. G. and Plater, W. M. (TIAA Institute). 2016
Tuition Reductions: Practical Advice and Perspectives of an Emerging Pricing Strategy
Kottich, S. 2018
Framework used by College of St. Mary to assess tuition reduction strategies and impact.
Authors assert that assessment of academic productivity must incorporate the institution’s civic responsibility as a public good.
What is the Current State of Economic Sustainability of Higher Education in the United States, and How Did We Get Here?
Askin, J. A. and Shea, B. 2016
NACUBO White Paper traces the evolution of the contemporary economic models of higher education and identifies key characteristics.
Research Papers
Dealing With the Future Now: Principles for Creating a Vital Campus in a Climate of Restricted Resources
Guskin, A. E. and Marcy, M. B. 2010
Discusses the work of the Project on the Future of Higher Education, making recommendations for restructuring of colleges and universities, particularly for undergraduate education.
Making Sense of Higher Education’s Future: An Economics and Operations Perspective
Harker, P. T. 2014
This paper applies lessons from decades of research into the economics and effective design and management of service organizations to propose models for changing the university.
Managing Productivity in An Academic Institution: Rethinking the Whom, Which, What, and Whose of Productivity
Rhoades, G. 2001
The author develops alternative paradigms for examining and managing academic productivity.
The Economics of Online Postsecondary Education: MOOCs, Nonselective Education, and Highly Selective Education
Hoxby, C. M. 2014
Considers how online postsecondary education, including MOOCs, might fit into economically sustainable models of postsecondary education.
Toolkits
The Higher Education Innovation Challenge Toolkit
New England Board of Higher Education
Identifies indicators that may assist institutions in assessing challenges and opportunities to their financial sustainability.
