Book Description

Retrenchment and reallocation processes at five public colleges and universities were studied: the University of Washington; University of Idaho; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Michigan State University; and Seattle Community College District. After an overview of institutional approaches to retrenchment and reallocation, the five individual case studies highlight efforts by institutions under severe political, economic, and time pressure. The schools are located in three states that have been hit hardest by revenue shortfalls. Each case study includes an institutional profile, a chronology of events, and financial data. Factors that influence institutional responses of reallocation and retrenchment are covered, including the duration of the fiscal crisis, degree of management flexibility available to the institution, and diversification of institutional revenue sources. The following components of effective reallocation are described: faculty and constituent involvement in reallocation, assessment of institutional role and mission, quality of academic and support programs, and long-term versus short-term costs and benefits associated with reallocation. (SW)