Insights
Does freely sharing ideas stifle innovation?
Imagine a manufacturing operation that is receiving the final report from a cost accounting consultant. A new approach to applying labor costs is presented to a group that includes Vice Presidents for Production (a thirty year veteran of the industry) and HR (a...
Machiavelli and the New Order of Things
I begin with a favorite quote : “It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out nor more doubtful of success nor more dangerous to handle than to initiate a new order of things; for the reformer has enemies in all those who profit by the old...
Paying off Federal Student Loans – a new idea
When my Dad entered college in 1949, the $700 annual cost seemed daunting, compared with an annual family income that might have been $3,000. The construction of the New York State Thruway was an opportunity for him to make enough in a summer to pay a year’s...
Managing Federal Student Loan Defaults – assigning some responsibility to the college
I reference my previous installment on student loans. In that submission, I argue for using additional social security withholding in order to satisfy student loan payments. Attention is now turned to the responsibility of the institution itself, particularly as...
We’re struggling. What do we tell … and to whom?
The Doctor calls, encouraging you to head to the hospital immediately in the hope of spending a few last moments with Mom. “She fought her cancer so bravely for so long,” he says. You didn’t know she was sick. Sweet Briar alums and parents can be forgiven...
Can Higher Ed bring back its ‘Cuda?
For those of us who came of age in the 1960s and 70s, the ‘Cuda, Cutlass and Cougar were legendary. Some were heavy sellers while others had incredible style and performance. Today, the mere two ‘Cuda convertibles that were outfitted with the 426 hemi...
Horse racing and mid-year cuts
Every so often, one of the classic movies I enjoy has a scene from a horse race. Here are women dressed in the most amazing outfits inaginable, with hats the size of snow saucers, accompanied by tuxedo-wearing gentlemen who arrive at the last minute, receipts in...
Capital Spending – is there a gauge to measure our stewardship?
As the higher education industry absorbed the impact of FASB pronouncements (changes in accounting standards) during the 1990s, many balked at adding a budget line for depreciation expense. Prior to those landmark changes, various “funds” were deployed to capture...
Borrowing from the Endowment
About three years ago, a regional legal firm posted an article about endowment issues It is found...
There is a Right Way to do a Turnaround
The headlines tell the tale of another university that is dealing with hard times. This time, it's a public here in Ohio. https://www.ohio.com/article/20150710/NEWS/307109063 As many of you know, my firm, CFO Colleague, consults with a variety of higher...
Insights Blog
Our take on the current reality of higher ed.
Curated articles, opinion pieces, analysis and advice from one CFO to another.