What do you see as today's biggest challenge in operating a campus mailroom? Is there anything colleges tend to do that makes the problem worse? "One of the biggest problems for campus mailrooms is lack of space! You can hire more workers and buy more software, but it's practically impossible to get more space. If students […]
After working in an antiquated mailroom in a windowless basement of a dorm, Linda Barrows was thrilled to occupy space in the brand new, centrally located Center for Communication and Creative Media on the campus of Champlain College in Vermont. Her process has been upgraded as much as her digs. In the "old" days, her […]
Penn State student Timothy Piazza died in February 2017 after participating in pledge acceptance night activities with the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. His death—which a grand jury has called "the direct result of encouraged reckless conduct"—reignited an age-old debate about the role of fraternities and sororities in campus life.
Future use of unmanned aerial systems, more commonly known as "drones," is limited only by the imagination (and physics). Needless to say, the use of drones for both commercial and private purposes will only increase. This emerging technology provides not only opportunities for colleges, but also headaches. Balancing the benefits—from improved academic curriculum to research […]
Every school needs a reliable water supply—no matter the climate—yet it is often the most overlooked aspect of facilities management. It flows throughout the campus, from sinks and toilets to cooling and sprinkler systems. It's essential for dining services, landscape management, research spaces, athletic facilities and academic programs such as agriculture. Even with increasing emphasis […]
Faced once again with state and federal funding cuts, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system President Mark Ojakian has had to make some tough decisions to keep the 17-school system functioning. His strategy of consolidation and shared services, called Students First, should save at least $41 million annually and bring much-needed fiscal discipline to a […]
Diplomas—those venerable printed documents that lack hotlinks and interactivity features—have lost some of their luster. While employers increasingly demand that new hires have college degrees, the transcripts supporting those hard-earned credentials are no longer the most informative tool students have to exhibit their skills. "The bachelor's degree or Ph.D. will never go away," says Philip […]
Badges have not just motivated students to take a deeper look at the skills they've earned. Several institutions also issue badges for professional development. At Emporia State University in Kansas, badges awarded to faculty who've completed a course in online teaching readiness have been viewed online more than any badge the institution offers to students […]
Colleges and universities face an increasingly competitive environment for attracting and retaining students. These challenges are further complicated with tighter funding constraints and the need to keep up with the latest technological advancements to remain competitive. Student ID card systems are not immune to these pressures; outdated ID technology can result in increased costs, long […]
College and university leaders manage large datasets that are compiled across people, departments and systems. Producing quality performance reports, institutional effectiveness measures, and academic data can be a challenge in today's environment. In addition to maintaining reliable and accurate data, higher ed leaders are continually asked to do more work, with more depth—but without additional […]
