IPEDS Finance

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for ComparisonsAAUDE Case Study, Columbus OhioMay 2003: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons AAUDE Case Study, Columbus Ohio May 2003

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Revenues Expenditures Examples Changes in IPEDS Finance Conclusions andamp; Looking Ahead

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons TheCenter review of financials included:

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons REVENUES (Part A) Appropriations may/may not contain: Main Campus Only Branch Campuses Medical Center Ag Extension/Ag Experiment Station

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Tuition andamp; Fee Revenue Can Be Reported: In Part A, Line 1 (Tuition andamp; Fees), or In Part A, Line 4 (State Appropriations),or Both Line 1 and Line 4

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Endowment Income: May/may not be reported in Part A, Line 10 Sometimes determined by spending formula alone Sometimes includes yield (interest and dividends)

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Unclear where the following revenues are reported (inconsistent): Appropriations derived from auxiliaries Agency funds Appropriations for capital outlays Investment income

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Sales andamp; Services of Educational Activities (Part A, Line 11) What is included here? IPEDS Definition: 'Revenues … incidental to the conduct of instruction, research, or public service. Examples include film rentals, testing services, scientific and literary publications, university presses, and dairy products.'

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Other Sources of Revenue (Part A, Line 14) What is included here? Recent ad hoc query on Other Sources of Revenue (Purdue)

Example – Using Revenues: 

Example – Using Revenues 1999-2000 Revenue 1999-2000 FTE Revenue = State Appropriations + Tuition andamp; Fees + Local Appropriations (Source: IPEDS Finance, 1999-2000) __________ Note: Example is from 'Equity in Funding in the State University System of Florida,' by the Council for Education Policy, Research, and Improvement (CEPRI), 2002.

Example – Using Revenues: 

Example – Using Revenues The Problem: Numerator for UF includes revenues for: Ag Experiment Station Ag Extension Health Science Center (Above account for 35% of UF numerator)

Example – Using Revenues: 

Example – Using Revenues $652 million = Total Numerator for UF Less $117 million for Ag Less $113 million for Health Science Center Resulting ratio changes from $15,856  $10,276

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons EXPENDITURES (Part B) The following are sometimes paid by state; sometimes paid by university If paid by university, not separately identified Debt Service Worker’s Compensation Fringe Benefits Retirement Utilities

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Use of fund accounting to determine spending in instruction and research categories is problematic. Expenditures for the following may or may not be included. If included, not separately identified. Central Office (System) Athletics Foundation (fund-raising arm)

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Research Expenditures (Part B, Line 2) May or may not reflect institution’s expenditures on separately budgeted research (due to system accounting practices, etc.) Research expenditures for work conducted by affiliated or university-owned hospitals may or may not get counted here. Varying definitions of 'Research'

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Kansas looked at expenditures by PCS Category among peers - Found that patterns vary dramatically from institution to institution depending upon land grant and medical center.

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Arizona – Trend Analysis of 'Student Educational Expenditures per FTE in the 1990’s' Educational Expenditures = Total Instruction, Academic Support, Institutional Support, and Student Services (Medical School costs computed and backed out statistically for comparison purposes.)

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons CHANGES IN IPEDS FINANCE New form Optional now Mandatory Spring 2005 [http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/web2000/GASB.asp] Developed by working group organized through NPEC andamp; chaired by Larry Goldstein (NACUBO) for adherence to GASB 34/35

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Overview of New Finance Form Look and contents considerably different Clarifying questions added regarding system, or part of system Current funds reporting, as we know it, goes away Operating, non-operating andamp; other revenues (no distinguishing of current funds)

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Overview of New Finance Form, Cont’d. Expenses reported by function (instruction, research, etc.) and by natural classification (salaries, travel, etc.) in a matrix format Balance Sheet info added Capital asset costs required to be amortized over useful life of assets

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons Overview of New Finance Form, Cont’d. Consideration of Discounts andamp; Allowances Tuition andamp; fees Sales andamp; services of auxiliaries andamp; hospital services Scholarships and fellowships

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons CONCLUSIONS andamp; LOOKING AHEAD IPEDS Instructions may not be followed consistently by all institutions. Difficult to determine exactly how they differ. Notes from financial statements can help clarify. New GASB Standards – impact uncertain. ~~~~~~ IPEDS Finance not intended for peer comparison purposes!

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons 'To Measure or Not to Measure – That’s Still in Question,' by Larry Goldstein (NACUBO Business Officer, August 2002). Article addresses the issues that remain unresolved regarding a 'standard operating measure' for colleges andamp; universities.

Problems withUsing IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons: 

Problems with Using IPEDS Finance Data for Comparisons QUESTION: Is there interest among AAUDE in exchanging answers to a list of 'Clarifying Questions' for IPEDS Finance? A Pilot?