Historically, college IT units are characterized as “cost centers” performing an increasingly critical function for the college’s educational and administrative mission but representing an increasingly expensive part of the budget. IT services across campus have become more expensive as faculty members, administrators, and students have demanded access to the latest hardware and software. IT budgets and staffs are taxed to keep up.
The Internal Conflict Underlying College Closures
This blog post was originally published on Econsult Solution, Inc.’s website. Econsult Solutions, Inc. has positioned itself as a preferred provider of economic and social impact studies and related advisory services for institutions of higher education of all sizes and types. Learn more about their capabilities. Recently, while visiting with friends, we spoke of their son’s alma […]
Artificial Intelligence: Must the Challenge to Human Decision Making be an Either/Or Proposition?
Concerns regarding artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation have recently received a considerable amount of attention. Do these advancements pose a threat that will destroy the jobs created in the post-industrial revolution at best or at worst leave us all as physically passive creatures reclining on lounge chairs in the world anticipated by “The Matrix”?
The Affordability Trap: How to Use Tuition to Frame IT Projects
The excitement of college acceptances is now past for the Class of 2021 and their parents. Conversations have now moved from “Where will I go to college?” to “How are we going to pay for college?”. College affordability dominates both discussions on campus and in the general public. With the price tag for four years at an elite private institution approaching a half million dollars, how can it not?
Do You Need a Strategic Plan in Higher Ed?
Nothing can bring forward more coordinated moans from faculty members and administrators alike than the mention of a new strategic planning process. It portends endless meetings, maybe more endless arguments, and imminent frustration that the final product does not reflect “my university.” I will acknowledge that we have reached a point where state funding (or trustee/alumni support in the case of a private institution), regional accreditation, or programmatic accreditation will not be forthcoming without a strategic plan.