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How University Budgets Work by Dean O. Smith Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore, MD 2019 200 Pages ISBN 9781421432762
This book serves as a primer for establishing a baseline by which academic leaders can participate in conversations regarding finances at their institutions. As institutions increase the level of engagement among faculty, staff, administrators, students, and governing board members, it is helpful to ensure that new and continuing members possess the necessary vocabulary, understand the core concepts, and are familiar with the different financial frameworks used in higher education. Overall, the author takes great care in maintaining fidelity to accounting principles, while also providing context for the way in which university budgets are developed. His careful use of technical language helps present complex topics in a way that is understandable to the reader.
Given the growing number of emerging issues currently facing higher education, ranging from demographic changes to shifts in public and private funding, this book provides an important starting point for members of the campus community to prioritize, plan, and manage how resources are allocated at their respective institutions. Over my many years of working with budgets, I find those that are most effective are the ones that best reflect the collective priorities of the institution. The author provides readers with the tools and insights necessary to help them become active members of...