Decision Models for University Budget Requests

Abstract

State universities are budgeted by their respective states based upon the number of students in attendance at each university. The university must often make a forecast of enrollment for budgetary purposes two years in advance because of various administrative and legislative procedures. When the university under-predicts enrollment, upon which state appropriations will be based, there will be a subsequent shortage of funds. On the other hand, an overprediction of enrollment entails the return of funds to the state unless the overprediction is within some limit prescribed by the state.