The founders of George Washington University could not have anticipated that, almost two centuries later, the institution's prime location in D.C.'s Foggy Bottom neighborhood would be a developer's dream—and a golden opportunity for the university. Their major venture, a mixed-use retail, residential and office development called Square 54 and completed in 2011, has close to […]
The momentum building behind higher ed analytics is hardly surprising, considering the explosion of tech tools available to make sense of institutional data. What might surprise some, though, is who on campus is responsible for predictive analytics. Rather than assigning the task to institutional research or creating a new department, schools are tapping administrators in […]
The Consumer Financial ProtectionBureau's forthcoming "Payback Playbook" intends to simplify the student loan repayment process by presenting clear, customized repayment options. In April, the agency offered a sneak peek. The initiative will provide borrowers with simple repayment plan options any time they log into their student loan account. The Playbook summary will also be included […]
Just as websites morphed from digital brochures into versatile multimedia portals, electronic portfolios have evolved from information repositories to robust tools for showcasing student learning. Now generally referred to as "ePortfolios," these software systems house completed assignments, reflections on learning, photos, creative work and journal entries—all evidence of a student's education. "It is a personal, […]
The power of the admissions interview is, in context and value, unmatched by any other element of the enrollment process, says Jonathan Burdick of the University of Rochester. The meetings "add color to what is otherwise a black-and-white representation of a student, or add a third dimension to what is otherwise flat pieces of paper," […]
Administrators, faculty members and campus staff have been ordering all sorts of supplies from Amazon.com for years, but it was only recently that the e-tailing colossus jumped formally into the higher ed and business-to-business procurement market. And some in the procurement world see benefits ahead. "If they are bringing a new level of service and pricing […]
The rapid increase in the Hispanic population on American campuses requires administrators to tailor support services to this new wave of students that's forecast to continue growing. Support from three federal grant programs is available to help colleges that qualify as Hispanic-Serving Institutions, or HSIs. The funding can cover student support services and other initiatives—such as […]
New research finds mental health treatment of students pays off medically and financially. With those students now pressing administrators to increase mental health services, some colleges and universities are expanding their counseling staffs and other services. Increased treatment for students at California's public institutions will be worth about $56 million in decreased dropouts and higher lifetime […]
Two students were expelled and dozens more disciplined when a video emerged last March of the University of Oklahoma's Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter singing racist songs with lyrics about lynchings. In the fall, the University of Missouri saw numerous protests over the treatment of black students and the failure of administrators to address the problem. […]
Michigan State University Social experiment: Facebook Photo contest Facebook.com/msufinaid/ The idea: To show the positive side of financial aid, Michigan State held a contest that asked students to share a photo of an experience that would not have been possible had they not received aid. Ten students won $500 each. Result: "We put it out […]
