Budget Cuts

For much of 2011, Wisconsin has been a leading actor in politically tinged dramas about higher education. In February, the battle over collective bargaining rights of public employees erupted (it remains unresolved), with those who work in higher education among the affected.

AAUP statement says U. of Louisiana campuses have found dangerous new way to eliminate faculty rights.

Dartmouth angers some professors by redirecting a larger chunk of returns on endowed funds to administrative costs.

While overall state spending on college operations has risen over 25 years, funds have not nearly kept pace with sharply rising enrollments, report finds.

As overall enrollments rise by 4.8 percent in 2008-9, private sector institutions grow by 21.5 percent. Other findings: colleges' operating margins shrink, number of students getting aid climbs.