Category: Blog

According to a survey of chief financial officers by The Chronicle of Higher Education, the financial crisis that has caused upheavals in other sectors hasn’t prompted radical changes in how most colleges operate (with a few big exceptions). This may be a sign that the full effect of the economic fallout has yet to hit home on many campuses, or that strong enrollments and stimulus funds have helped institutions in the short-term. But as stimulus funds are not recurring, it is especially vital that public institutions make substantive, long-term moves to ensure their sustainability. Many institutions are already engaged in budget scenario planning to prepare for that fallout, but that may not be enough. Given both continuing budget constraints and rising demand for higher education, this is the time to ensure your academic program mix is positioning your institution for future success. Don’t Lose Sight of the Mission Some institutions chase the latest demand at the expense of their mission, while others stick too closely to tradition, and miss critical new opportunities. The key to differentiating your academic programs is to find the right intersection between your institution’s mission and changing demand in the marketplace. Even if a particular program […]

A report by the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment draws attention to the fact that while 92% of American colleges and universities are now using at least one assessment tool to evaluate academic programs, most colleges are having difficulty integrating the results into a system of continuing improvement. It’s clear that often the roadblock to action isn’t a lack of data, nor is it the lack of an assessment process. The roadblock is the lack of a culture of assessment on campus. As one example, 66% of provosts surveyed said what they needed most in order to translate assessment into action was more faculty involvement. Donald Norris, president of Strategic Initiatives, Inc. and a key thinker on this issue, offers some practical strategies for moving people to take action based on assessment. Dealing with Issues of Turf “Turf battles should disappear based on one simple question: What do we need to do to maximize student success and academic performance?” Donald Norris, Strategic Initiatives, Inc. To adopt a culture of assessment, it is key to relay succinctly — and repeatedly — to all stakeholders the message that what is at stake is the success of the student. Bring the critical question into key […]