Unless you are among the nation's exclusive (and expensive) colleges and universities, you need to focus on affordability and curricular innovations, says Scott D. Miller, UB guest columnist and president of Virginia Wesleyan University.†‹ Those resistant to change are ignoring market realities that can combine to create the perfect storm—and lead to closure.

When higher ed advancement leaders hear about an independently formed group of alumni or philanthropists, the next steps matter in supporting and partnering with the giving circle.

ISAs protect students from getting financially steamrolled and help institutions to consider and, hopefully, implement the necessary business model changes they will need to thrive, says guest columnist Richard Price, a research fellow for higher education at the Clayton Christensen Institute.