Giving to American higher education has enjoyed a significant increase over the last decade, far exceeding inflation. Despite the recession in 2008-10, giving to higher ed grew steadily from $23 billion in 2006 to $34 billion in 2015, a healthy increase that's highlighted by a significant and continuous stream of megagifts (more than $50 million). […]
The University of Iowa adds narration in five languages to its online commencement videos so families from around the globe can experience their children's graduation.
Just five years ago, the business office at James Madison University in Virginia was spending about $25 for every refund check it processed. Multiply that by the tens of thousands of students who received such checks each semester, including summers, and the cost quickly added up. Today, the school has all but eliminated paper checks […]
Financially, the student population of any community college is diverse. From new students to lifelong learners to professionals looking for new skills, each comes with different circumstances and expectations. Accommodating everyone is complex. It's no secret that community colleges nationwide are continually working around budget cuts and staffing shortfalls. For Illinois Central College, rethinking its […]
Attention to underserved students may be well spent on single mothers, a growing demographic on campus. The number of single mothers in college more than doubled between the 1999-2000 and 2011-12 academic years, to almost 2.1 million students—or 11 percent of all undergrads—as of 2012, according to a new report from the Institute for Women's […]
From guest lectures to orientations and from alumni events to weddings, special events constitute a key part of campus life. Colleges also leverage these activities to market the campus to students, families and the surrounding community. Event management systems have given schools greater control over everything from booking spaces to ordering food, linens and equipment. […]
For many institutions, implementing new processes, platforms or solutions in the business office, bursar's office or financial aid departments can seem intimidating and overwhelming. Along with ensuring that any new process or solution improves efficiency and meets the needs of both students and staff, there are a multitude of other factors to consider, such as […]
The headlines say it all. "Texas universities forced to trim their budgets, even with big state cuts averted." —Texas Tribune "University of Alaska budget cut by $8 million in legislative compromise" —Alaska Dispatch News Subhead: Case studies on how small ideas bloomed into noticeable savings "University of Missouri to cut 400 positions amid budget woes" —US […]
The Trump administration's plan to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy by not accepting new applicants is another shift in immigration laws that leaves many students unsure of their status on and off campus. This uncertainty has colleges and universities refining approaches, messages and resources to support undocumented students. Wellness check […]
It has become increasingly difficult for some four-year institutions to meet enrollment goals for first-year students. The good news is that enrolling transfers has advantages. Transfer students generate higher average net tuition revenue than first-year students but don't create large pressures on housing. They also enroll in upper-level courses that typically have capacity. These benefits […]