Higher ed's reliance on adjunct faculty, hardly a secret anymore, has gotten much scrutiny in the past few years. Institutions of all types benefit from the fact that adjuncts—provided they don't become eligible for health benefits by working more than 30 hours a week—can be employed for a fraction of the investment needed for full-time […]
The contemporary campus recreation center has graduated from yesterday's dingy weight room. In fact, at many institutions, the rec center serves as a multipurpose space, hosting celebrations on special occasions and promoting student wellness in body and mind throughout the semester. The demand for an individualized experience continues to guide design. Students want the equipment […]
When you think "rebranding campaign," it most likely conjures up images of marketing and communications officers meeting with the school president and board of trustees to toil over logo colors, mascots and slogans. In reality, it's a much more complex process, involving the entire school community. And its impact can be felt across all institutional […]
What are the main concerns students and the community have concerning the affordability of higher education? There are two major concerns that seem to be the most popular worries of students and the general public. The rising cost of tuition: Tuition prices have been increasing at a rate over the past years that far outpaces […]
In 2008, former Yale professor William Deresiewicz wrote a scathing essay titled "The Disadvantages of an Elite Education." It quickly went viral, gaining more than 100,000 views in a matter of weeks (and many times that since). "The system manufactures students who are smart and talented and driven," he noted, "but also anxious, timid and […]
What are the biggest challenges facing higher education as a business? There are a few challenges that institutions face today. For such a long time, many were in a continuous growth pattern, developing new programs and online programs for receptive audiences. That certainly is not the case today. Many institutions are experiencing flat enrollment and […]
In an era where many campus security efforts are being amplified, some schools are relaxing certain policies around prospective students' criminal backgrounds. In New York, Dowling College, St. John's University and Five Towns College have either changed or completely eliminated questions pertaining to applicants' criminal histories, according to a recent New York Times article and […]
Managing course scheduling involves more than just cracking a complex logistical code each semester. It's also a potential bane or boon to the operating budget. Course scheduling is tied integrally to two of an institution's most expensive resources—facilities and faculty. An
Students at the University of Louisville's School of Medicine work in six-person groups around computer monitors to diagnose a medical case. The instructor roams the classroom, using an iPad application to share content on a large monitor and control all the technology in the room—including lighting, audio, video and screen positions. When exceptional work is […]
Wright State University invested significantly in printing equipment only to see demand decline. That lead administrators to overhaul the Ohio institution's entire printing system. By switching to a variable pay-per-print model based on volume and relying on one supplier to manage all its equipment, Wright State is saving $750,000 per year. Sharing assets with two […]
