The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Although no one is sure what changes are ahead for our country once political outsider Donald Trump takes office, in most ways it’ll be business as usual for higher education leaders—who for years have been managing in an economic climate requiring that they accomplish more with tighter resources.
Outlook 2017 is UB’s third annual special issue aimed at providing insight on the major trends expected to impact campus leaders in the year to come.
On the policy front, higher ed officials continue to prepare for a greater level of accountability around access and outcomes, with states and the federal government, as well as the general public, demanding more transparency in data related to how graduates are faring out in the world.
The environment also involves the need to be competitive in an era of enrollment declines and to be proactive in battling the sexual assault epidemic.
Campus finance administrators continue their intense examination of expenses by identifying and encouraging others across campus to come up with more efficient ways of getting the job done. On the revenue side of the budget fence, hopes are high for endowment and advancement income increases in 2017.
Meanwhile, investments in technology and new facilities remain a priority. Academic technology and network security are the top anticipated tech spending areas, and then new buildings are getting added to the map at the campus homes of the majority of the facilities leaders surveyed.
Explore the links below for a closer look at our 2017 Outlook.
Entering the age of accountability
Federal administration watch
Enrollment concerns and strategies
Opening the gates for successful student outcomes
Examining expenses, getting strategic about revenue
Facilities under pressure
Looking back: Top higher ed stories of 2016
