IT leaders at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill recognized that unbundling, analyzing and sharing learning management system data could produce results, particularly in driving online students' success. So they partnered with the College of Education to make it happen. Student behaviors such as ignoring the syllabus or not opening assignments will get […]
Are data silos a big problem in higher ed, and what are the most important reasons for taking them down? "It's common to see a divide between interests in graduation and retention on the one hand, and teaching and learning on the other. These are complementary perspectives, yet many times they are siloed despite a […]
Leading the charge: 12 representatives from all departments at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio Phase 1 (three years ago) The team began with an "amnesty period" in which members showed each other the data they captured and discussed how it could be shared and used. Progress: "Everyone began to see there were all types of efficiencies […]
Classrooms, libraries and residence halls may appear to be the key points of interest on campus tours—but dining halls can generate even bigger buzz. Students scrutinize menus, looking for labels such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergen-friendly, kosher or halal. Spotting those options could mean the difference between enrolling or choosing another school. "We've had students see […]
How you go to college matters more than where you go to college, says Bentley University President Gloria Cordes Larson. In her book Prepared U (2017 Jossey-Bass), Larson says institutions that focus on professional studies do a fine job preparing students for a job after college. But they often fall short on building "lifelong learning […]
When it comes to space utilization, what is one aspect that higher ed institutions may not necessarily be thinking about but should consider? "Current trends in wellness combined with the space efficiencies of shared spaces over private offices and labs should lead to common facilities that optimize access to daylight, fresh air and connection to […]
From 2007 to 2016, higher ed campuses grew by more than 10 percent in building space, outpacing the 8 percent growth in enrollment during the same period, according to the most recent "State of Facilities in Higher Education" report from Sightlines. It is the fourth consecutive year of construction outpacing enrollment growth. Much of this […]
Contrary to popular misconception, our student-athletes in higher education are persisting and completing their programs of study on time. According to Gallup and collegiate athletic association reports, student-athletes actually outperform their non-athlete classmates in persistence and graduation in a wide and varied range of program majors. Increasingly, student-athletes have chosen to study the diversified fields […]
If there's one thing small college purchasing managers know for sure, it's that they have to be smart about a lot of things. "At larger schools, people in purchasing have more specialization—they only do IT or facilities or science. Those of us at small colleges have to be able to do everything," says Allison Canada, […]
As textbook sales have declined, campus stores are relying on promotions to attract students who might not otherwise have a reason to visit. The wave of special events continues year-round in an attempt to drive business beyond the pre-semester rush.
