nd that without some rudimentary understanding of financial concepts, these administrators will not be able to make wise decisions (Vandament, 1989, p. xiv).
Vandament takes a logical approach to the issue of financial management in higher education, beginning first with an overview of the financial environment in which institutions of higher learning function, and then narrowing his focus to include the various financial functions which are performed at institutions, and which administrators can expect to come upon in the course of their duties. This approach provides background material which can help the reader more readily identify with the concepts presented later in the book, and provides a sense of familiarity to readers who might otherwise be put off by the technical discussions which follow.
At the heart of Vandament's text is the financial plan, which is the culmination of chapters two through five. Vandament focuses the first chapter on putting forth the purpose of financial management in general, and financial management in higher education in particular. Of this, Vandament suggests that there are three purposes which financial management in higher institutions serves: the long-range protection and enhancement of the school to accomplish its goals; making sure that sufficient resources are available to support current activities; and the creation and mai
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