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Nobel Laureates

A Model for Long-Range University Budget Planning under Uncertainty


Volume: Volume 9, No. 2

Issue: Autumn 1978

Pages: pp. 396-420

Authors: Richard C. Grinold, David S.P. Hopkins, and William F. Massy

Title: A Model for Long-Range University Budget Planning under Uncertainty

Abstract: A linear control model of a university budget is presented as an aid to developing optimal strategies for dealing with major exogenous uncertainties. The specific uncertainties treated are those associated with inflation, endowment returns, and fund-raising. The model seeks to stabilize budget growth by adhering as closely as possible to prescribed limits for certain financial ratios, such as the ratio of the budget to the endowment. Sample runs for Stanford University are given, along with an analysis of the financial effects of varying the level of investment risk carried by the endowment.


JEL Classification

Organization and Decision Theory (5110)
Economics of Education (9120)