Friday May 08, 2009
This past week the Chronicle of Higher Education reported that support-staff jobs in higher education have doubled in the past 2 decades -- a pace far ahead of the growth in student enrollment and instruction.
The growth of support staff -- people who do student loans, computer work, institutional research, and numerous other non-teaching jobs -- is just one of the many reasons why higher education costs have risen over the rate of inflation for more than 20 years.
Institutions have to keep up with state and federal mandates, new technology and other drivers. But this trend of simply expanding the number of non-teaching employees has run up against current economic realities.
It is time to change our paradigms.
Higher Education IS still a good investment in terms of earning higher income and achieving a better quality of life, and in terms of our collective national good. But higher educational institutions will have to rethink and reprioritize ways to produce a leaner process of delivery.
Source: Chronicle of Higher Education, April 24, 2009. Page 1,16.
Category: Higher Education
Friday Apr 24, 2009
Last week an important national survey was released by the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems
The study dealt with a VALUE question: Is higher education worth it?
According to the latest numbers the answer is a resounding, "YES." Here are the numbers pertaining to California:
- If your education was less than high school graduation: 65% were working and could expect LIFETIME earnings of $937k
- With a High School Diploma: 73% were working and could expect lifetime earnings of $1,436k
- With an Associate College degree: 80% were working and expected lifetime earnings $1,958k
- With a Bachelor's Degree: 83% were working and expected lifetime earnings $2,550k
- With a Graduate or Professional Degree: 83% were working and expected lifetime earnings $3,224k
The case is impressive in terms of money earned. But there are other benefits to both the individual and society. As earnings go up, the economy expands and more taxes are generated. There are also correlations between higher education and fewer health problems, lower rates of crime, and a greater level of civic involvement and personal satisfaction.
A large number of people are out of work in this economic crunch time. But you will find the above comparative advantages carry over to the % who are employed and the amount of money they are earning.
View the full study.
Category: Higher Education
Thursday Mar 19, 2009
The world of higher education responded with great satisfaction when funds were authorized and appropriated for major improvements in the Pell Grant program. Pell is of crucial importance for LOW income students and families.
But - so far - very little attention has been focused on the President's proposal to improve the Perkins Loan program, which is of MAJOR importance to universities like Golden Gate and to the students and families that we serve.
President Obama has proposed taking the current $1 billion federal funding level to $6 billion a year.
The impact (when added to the $2,500 tuition tax credit) would be the largest boost for MIDDLE income Americans in a long, long time. In the President's words, these tandem Federal enhancements would provide "an unprecedented chance for going to college ... at a time when going to college has never been more important."
Your GGU President is bullish on the Perkins Loan Obama proposal ¿ and you should be too!
Category: Higher Education
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