The Financial Prospects for Higher Education in the 1980s
In analyzing the future of higher education finance, the temptation to accept ready-made conclusions is great. Much has been said of expected future enrollment declines, and many conclude that financial resources will decline in a roughly proportional manner. State activities subsequent to passage of the Jarvis-Gann initiative (Proposition 13) in California give this view additional impetus. Whether these prophecies are correct, of course, no one can say with certainty. However, there exists conceptual and empirical evidence capable of elevating the discussion beyond conventional wisdom or reliance upon a single predictor variable, such as anticipated enrollment levels. It is the purpose of this paper to present an assessment of these concepts and evidence, and in the process, compose an informed though admittedly qualitative appraisal of the financial prospects for higher education in the 1980s.