Trustee Survey on Economic Woes Facing Public Higher Ed

Sixty-two percent of public college and university board chairs and executives believe that the current economic downturn is having a "significant" impact on their institutions, according to a new survey by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges. Nearly 80 percent of boards reported facing an operating budget cut of at least 5 percent this year. Boards appear to be stepping up their activity in reaction to the cuts. Asked about changes in practices, 26 percent reported additional meetings or conference calls of the entire board, and 28 percent reported additional meetings or conference calls of the board's executive committee.