This special issue of Trusteeship focuses on the national
agenda seeking dramatically increased college graduation rates and how
that goal will guide boards' engagement in setting institutions'
strategic direction and priorities. We are especially pleased that U.S.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former Virginia Governor Gerald
Baliles, along with a number of other distinguished leaders, have
contributed thoughts to Trusteeship about the nation's higher-education
priorities.
This special issue of Trusteeship focuses on the national agenda seeking dramatically increased college graduation rates and how that goal will guide boards' engagement in setting institutions' strategic direction and priorities. We are especially pleased that U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles, along with a number of other distinguished leaders, have contributed thoughts to Trusteeship about the nation's higher-education priorities.
Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education
For most of the last century, the United States has been recognized as
having the best system of higher education in the world. No other
nation has a postsecondary system that has been as successful in
advancing knowledge and innovation, while also making college
accessible to its citizens regardless of their financial circumstances.
Yet today, higher education institutions in America face stiff
challenges. If the United States is to retain its preeminence in the
global economy, America's universities, liberal-arts colleges, and
community colleges need to become more accessible, affordable, and
successful--and in a hurry.
In the 21st century, the United States will need a much more highly educated population to sustain its economic and civic vitality and restore its economic standing. Globalization, demographic change, the rise of a knowledge-driven society, and the unrelenting advances in technology are among the major forces intensifying the need for a more highly skilled and educated U.S. population.
The steep economic recession, coupled with increased national expectations and demand for higher education, poses serious challenges for board and presidential leadership. A special panel at AGB's recent National Conference on Trusteeship, moderated by AGB President Richard Legon, examined those challenges. The following Q&A is excerpted from the discussion.
In response to Obama's emphasis on education in his State of the Union address in February, Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council on Education, noted that "no president in modern times has used an address to a joint session of Congress to make such a clear case for higher education's role in providing the solutions America needs to compete in the world economy."
Achieving high performance in tough times is the most serious challenge facing presidents and trustees during this recession, when the temptation may be to substitute "getting by" for truly outstanding governance.
A sampling of national media coverage of higher education in the last two months.
Patricia Hayes and Teresa Valerio Parrot
Having worked together as chair of the Board of Regents and assistant secretary of the University of Colorado during times of public controversy, we are often asked what advice we can share from our work in the trenches.
Colleges and universities battling budget cuts and poor endowment performance are looking for every possible way to save money. Are there strategies that can help contain legal costs while
adequately protecting institutions from unreasonable financial,
operational, reputational, and strategic risks?
The answer is yes, but there is no silver bullet.
Most experts agree that in the coming decades millions more Americans must attain a college credential if we are to remain competitive in the global marketplace. Given our nation's evolving demographic makeup, many more of these educated American workers will come from diverse backgrounds and populations not well represented on college campuses today.
Boards and institutional leaders must carefully evaluate programs, plans, and promises based on today's realities and tomorrow's best estimates.
Accreditation provides a sturdy platform from which board leadership for institutional autonomy and academic freedom can proceed.
