Collaboration Technology And Outsourcing Initiatives In Higher Education

Presents a sector-wide review of cost-containment initiatives in higher education in the United States, concentrating on three areas: (1) collaboration--involving shared resources (including human resources), joint purchasing agreements, and opportunities for personal and professional contacts between institutions; (2) technological innovation--ranging from machines that automate to equipment that enables massive information processing, teleconferencing, and distance education; and (3) outsourcing--contracting with an outside vendor to provide a service; often done with support services in the past, but now being considered for core services as well. Since cost cutting is a reality, institutions could benefit from learning from others' experiences. For this reason, more comprehensive and standardized data collection would be in everyone's best interest.