Delaying maintenance, layoffs most common options among cash-strapped institutions in US

According to new survey from the US-based Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, the schools hardest hit by the recession most often chose to delay deferred maintenance projects, cut staff, and reduce contingent faculty positions in order to deal with revenue shortfalls. 55% of responding institutions reported that student support services were "harmed" by state cuts, and 54% stated their ability to maintain academic programs and course offerings had been affected by the reductions. 70% of universities said they were relying on federal stimulus dollars as a short-term strategy. As for the long term, 78% of respondents reported investing in more energy-efficient systems. Inside Higher Ed