(Charles Eliot, Harvard president, 1869-1909)This week's Chronicle of Higher Education features a series of articles on the college presidency. Based on a survey of presidents the Chronicle conducted, the articles examine how presidents spend their time, what they think are keys to their success, and what keeps them awake at night.

Here's a snapshot:

The survey --- the first of its kind and completed by nearly 6 in 10 four-year college presidents nationwide this past summer --- shows that financial issues permeate almost every facet of the top job on campuses. When asked to rate their level of concern about 29 issues their institutions may face, the issues at the top of the list all affect the bottom line in some way: rising tuition, increasing health-care costs, inadequate faculty salaries, and student retention.

The focus on finances was also reflected by the presidents in their answers to questions about which areas of college management occupy most of their days and which college administrators or constituents they spend most of their time with. The activity that most presidents said they carried out daily was fund raising, performed by 53 percent of them. And while presidents still have the most frequent contact with the provost (53 percent of presidents report talking or meeting with the provost on a daily basis), the chief financial officer and the director of development are next in line (49 and 43 percent, respectively).Above all, presidents acknowledge the difficulties and pressures associated with the job, but almost all admit they're happy with their career choices.

The full set of articles is available only for Chronicle subscribers, and can be found here.