Purchase costs and long-term maintenance make adding real estate assets an expensive proposition for colleges and universities. Moreover, when institutions invest in off-campus properties, officials must also consider their relationships with nearby communities, as well as alumni and donors. In addition, public institutions typically have regulations and state or federal policies to navigate. To ensure […]
Every week at the University of Washington in Seattle, the registrar’s office staff comes across at least three fraudulent diplomas. Every month, they uncover about two fraudulent transcripts. “And these are just the ones we see,” says Helen Garrett, registrar and chief officer for enrollment information services. “Our student database has not been hacked and […]
Meaningful partnerships between universities and corporations require meaningful collaborations to benefit students and drive successful outcomes. On the academic side, that means administrators and faculty have to listen closely, open our doors to collaborative creativity and be open-minded. Working together with our partners ensures that everyone—students, institutions and partners—can be successful. Here are a few […]
The velocity of fundamental change in the world has increased dramatically. Not too many years ago, there was no such thing as social media. But the ascendency of interactive digital platforms fundamentally changed the way we communicate not only in society, but in business. We no longer broadcast to and talk at our audiences; we […]
Purchase College is building a 385-unit retirement community on its 500-acre campus in upstate New York. Currently in the development phase, the project should welcome residents by late 2021. Unlike similar communities built near campuses to lure alumni, Broadview will be open to any lifelong learner who is interested in an intergenerational experience, says Elizabeth […]
For several years, the Department of Education has published “Dear Colleague” letters (UBmag.me/1612) that make it clear that institutions of higher education accepting Title IV federal aid are expected to comply with federal cybersecurity regulations, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the Federal Trade Commission’s Red Flags Rule. In late 2017, a cybersecurity senior advisor […]
Waitlists for not-quite accepted students have long been used by colleges, but more institutions—both public and private—are dabbling in a different kind of delayed entry. Conditional admissions, which may require academic or English language counseling, give less-prepared students a chance to succeed. "A number of accountability mechanisms can discourage colleges from taking chances on students […]
Colleges and universities are in crisis mode. The digital age continues to transform disciplines—dissolving some, and merging and reconfiguring others. Yet a highly trained and college-educated workforce, one grounded in the ethics of how to best harness new technologies to benefit humanity, is needed more than ever to tackle issues such as cyberwarfare and artificial […]
The challenge: Reduce summer melt for incoming freshmen at Georgia State University. The method: Use an artificially intelligent chatbot to help students complete pre-enrollment tasks, such as submitting transcripts and taking care of immunization requirements. The results: Summer melt for 2016-17 was 21 percent less than in the prior year. The hero: Pounce the text-based […]
Managing change may be part of the job description for any higher ed administrator, but it's seldom easy. And nowhere is this more evident than with the core of any college or university: its academic programs. In fact, the process can be something of a minefield, with faculty feeling threatened and the media poised to […]