I’m currently working on my next column for University Business to be published in February 2009. This article will present 10 very practical tips to do more (or as well) with less (budget, people, time, etc), which explains why my main focus lately has been on the economic downturn and its consequences for higher education.
Even though economic crises can usually translate into positive outcomes (increased enrollment with many laid-off workers going back to college to upgrade their skill set), I have serious doubts about it in this specific case.
Didn’t the whole thing started with a financing meltdown?
The New York Times seems to agree with me today (not personally, but still) on this point in an article about a recently released report, article published today on its website: “College May Become Unaffordable for Most in U.S.”
The rising cost of college — even before the recession — threatens to put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to the annual report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.
Over all, the report found, published college tuition and fees increased 439 percent from 1982 to 2007, adjusted for inflation, while median family income rose 147 percent. Student borrowing has more than doubled in the last decade, and students from lower-income families, on average, get smaller grants from the colleges they attend than students from more affluent families.
Anyway, I’m sure you’ve all started to feel the pinch that is going to spread to our profession and industry. But, I’m wondering if you’ve already been asked to work on a similar type of the crisis communication website I stumbled upon this morning: Wesleyan’s “Securing The Future” website.
In the last update dated November 25, 2008 of this website launched in October, Wesleyan President Michael Roth even went on camera – in a short online video – to share an update about the current situation of the college budget and finances.
The website includes updates by the president, frequently asked questions and links to several posts Roth wrote about the topic on his blog, Roth on Wesleyan.
Have your top executives started to use the Web to communicate on this tough topic as well?
Do you think this is a good idea? Tell us by posting a comment.
I’m so glad you point this site out. It’s an awesome example of a college taking a completely transparent approach to this and one that I hope more fall in line with.
You’re right, Karlyn. I think it all comes down to the personal style of the president. Michael Roth has been a great communicator since he joined Wesleyan last year.
He even blogs for The Huffington Post. How is that for a college president?
Last week we put up a site dealing with the University’s response to the budget crisis, which coincided with a Town Hall meeting hosted by the chancellor. It’s pretty simple, but is designed to cut down on rumors and make sure the facts are out there. budget.ucr.edu
Thanks for letting us know, Ross.
I did a bit of digging and found your new “Budget website”.
Great work, I love the idea of asking people to suggest ways to save money.
yeah, I struggled with that whole embedded link thing. Sorry. I’m a newbie.
No problem, I’m here to help ;-)
[…] featured in such a positive way in any media outlet (minus the price tag in the headline, maybe, in these difficult economic times): I’m not in the market yet. But the other day, my 12-year-old, Morry, showed me this funny […]
Thats a pretty cool way of getting attention. …way better than a decision coming down from administration with little or no explanation. Cool stuff.
Karine – Last week we went live with a site similar to Cal-Riverside’s, and for the same reasons (in response to the budget crisis). See http://budgetnews.mst.edu. We’re trying to coordinate with the other University of Missouri campuses so we’re consistent in messages, but the purpose of this site is to solicit input from the campus.
I wonder if any schools will consider something as open as Obama’s change.gov approach?