As enrollment plummets, academia gets schooled
about where it went wrong
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/19/declining-college-enrollment-value/
George Will:
Another reason for colleges to fear is a belated response to a 1971 Supreme Court decision. “Credentialism” — the pursuit of empty academic validations — surged when the court unanimously struck down a corporation’s employment test as “fair in form, but discriminatory in operation,” because it had what has come to be called “disparate impact” on minorities. Rather than risk liability by relying on standardized tests, many employers began requiring applicants to have expensive, time-consuming college degrees. …
But after half a century, sensible people are having second thoughts…
This probably will accelerate enrollment declines, unless not-very-selective colleges (most colleges) will further lower academic standards. Or they will intensify efforts to attract customers (as students are considered) by making the “student experience” more enticing — fancier dorms, better football, Mongolian barbecues in the food courts, etc.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/04/19/declining-college-enrollment-value/
George Will:
Another reason for colleges to fear is a belated response to a 1971 Supreme Court decision. “Credentialism” — the pursuit of empty academic validations — surged when the court unanimously struck down a corporation’s employment test as “fair in form, but discriminatory in operation,” because it had what has come to be called “disparate impact” on minorities. Rather than risk liability by relying on standardized tests, many employers began requiring applicants to have expensive, time-consuming college degrees. …
But after half a century, sensible people are having second thoughts…
This probably will accelerate enrollment declines, unless not-very-selective colleges (most colleges) will further lower academic standards. Or they will intensify efforts to attract customers (as students are considered) by making the “student experience” more enticing — fancier dorms, better football, Mongolian barbecues in the food courts, etc.
America’s Educational Superpower Is Fading
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/04/18/higher-education-in-the-us-faces-a-systemic-crisis/e040544a-ddaa-11ed-a78e-9a7c2418b00c_story.html
Adrian Wooldridge notes:
How about “downsizing” some of those middle managers, “re-engineering” some of those administrative processes, and focusing on “core competences” like teaching? They also need to prevent the new administrative staff from taking over functions that should be reserved for academics, most importantly selecting students and staff and defining the ethos of the institution.
Related:
https://vivekjayakumar.blogspot.com/2023/04/americas-higher-education-system-is.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/04/18/higher-education-in-the-us-faces-a-systemic-crisis/e040544a-ddaa-11ed-a78e-9a7c2418b00c_story.html
Adrian Wooldridge notes:
How about “downsizing” some of those middle managers, “re-engineering” some of those administrative processes, and focusing on “core competences” like teaching? They also need to prevent the new administrative staff from taking over functions that should be reserved for academics, most importantly selecting students and staff and defining the ethos of the institution.
Related:
https://vivekjayakumar.blogspot.com/2023/04/americas-higher-education-system-is.html