Where are we today?

	WHERE ARE WE TODAY?


	How is the world of today different from the world of 1988? What were the driving forces that caused the world to change? (list of group participants) Group 1 Change in dynamics in Washington - Democrat as President Decline in family values Higher education as the "whipping post" for world problems. More personal debt Global economy: rise and fall; business more involved in public education; outsourcing, downsizing, privatizing Dynamics of journalism changed: "in the moment news" Larger student loan debt/default More emphasis on saving/riskier investments More Federal intervention in Higher Education (e.g., Financial Aid...always changing) Accessibility of credit cards, increased usage Lack of objectivity in the news Move to stand alone personal computers...at home Internet/www On-line/distance learning opportunities International partnerships in higher education Relationships (partnerships) with education/business/industry Unemployment is down (affecting cc enrollments) Infant mortality rates have decreased Group 2 Immediate personal service became an expectation Students see themselves as consumers Students more aware of educational alternatives Faster pace of change Do more with less continues, funding does not always keep pace with enrollment increases Globalization Redistribution of world power Global interdependency economically Computerization becomes much more personalized Transfer of power to baby boomers More women in leadership roles Group 3 Increasing gap between educated and those who cannot access education Increase in wealth Increase in use of technology Loyalty gap Consumer demands Global politics Shift to technology and services based economy Group 4 Greater accountability Consumer driven Changing career expectations: multiple careers, perceived eroding of work ethic, no company loyalty Lack of security Virulent media attacks on under belly of leaders: destructive to the leaders, negative impact on people wanting to enter public arena Breakdown in civility Ethics not a priority and backlash Political power of minorities and special interest groups Funding of technology Affluent versus non-affluent, shrinking of the middle class Aging of society Blurred lines of grade and place or turf Leadership styles changing, impact of minorities Instant communication and gratification Group 5 Differences from 1988: Growth of information systems technology Increasing "gap" between those that are educated or trained and those that are not (retention), as gap increases it undermines our strength as a nation and our ability to impact the economy globally Increase in personal wealth and willingness to invest (more future-oriented concern) Expectation for immediate response/satisfaction, increase in impatience Loyalty erodes between employer and employees (two-way street) Driving forces: Technology Consumer demand Maturation of "Baby Boomers" Continuation of shift to "Global Economy" Changing global politics U.S. shift to technology and service based economy Group 6 Differences from 1988: Low interest rates Low unemployment High media impact High technology: how do we keep up with the technology? Internet: pervasive impact E-mail/voicemail vs. snail mail Integration of technology Life expectancy Life-long learning Diverse society Contract employment, outsourcing Credit society not cash society Diversified learning options Multi-delivery systems Satellites Welfare reform Data-driven services & outcomes/expectations Service and information industries: problems with low level workers Frenzy, much busier, example: road rage Concept of family changed Early retirement option buyout Same sex employment benefits, tolerance for partners Driving forces: Technology Demographics Economy Globalization Communications Instant gratification thrust by customers High customer expectations Consumerism redefined Entitlement mentality One stop shopping Crime impacts increase Teen pregnancy Race relations awareness Media influence continues to rise Higher education is no longer a privilege but an expectation Multiple options, society expects quality choices ADA implications, Title Nine, more developmental clientele Shrinking middle class, gap expanding between have-nots and haves Litigious society Group 7 Differences from 1988: Instant response required today How students register has changed, Web and phone registration Accessibility to services is enhanced Web pages ATM High employment rates, very low unemployment Mandatory overtime Western UP has very high unemployment, moving to southern Wisconsin Recycling emphasized High technology equipment must be purchased Computers are a way of life Email Research on Internet Tightening of the welfare system: Work First, part-time employment without benefits Credit cards – limited use of cash Global presence More demands on student time Driving forces: International competition/cooperation Cable television Computer costs being driven down Customer focus Customer demands for services, educated consumers Service industry jobs Global interdependency Deterioration of respect for leadership Media is universal 900 numbers Instant news about anything How did these forces affect Michigan community colleges? How did these forces affect student services in Michigan community colleges? Group 1 Low unemployment rates negatively affected community college enrollment Competition internally/externally, traditional/non-traditional threats (e.g., Phoenix, Sylvan) Technology affecting how we do things: must change to meet new needs and budget priorities, doing more with less or with soft dollars, created more work (?), Internet, intranet, WWW, online distance learning opportunities. Physical plant decline/infrastructure aging Increased diversity in student body Funding benefits to instructors, not to student services "Lean & Mean" instead of "Lean & Friendly" Greater sensitivity in course and service offerings, flexibility Must "do more with less" staff Monitoring time on the job: issues of hours worked, release time, etc. Electronic communications, immediacy of response Parking! (Everyone has a car) Liability issues (the college attorney has become our best friend) Savvy students Student services via the Internet (e.g., enrollment, orientation, financial aid, video-advising: Mott, Henry Ford) Auto industry supplementing financial support for dependents to attend college Governor’s Scholarship (good ideas, too many restrictions, developed for the wrong reasons) Group 2 Community colleges: Corporate training/quick training Open entry/open exit Enrollment declined Average age dropped More single parents who face time management challenges Older students are more part-time, more focus on quick job skills rather than degree More emphasis on life-long learning New programs: starting small business, internationalizing the curriculum, PC repair, etc. Student services in community colleges: Cross training in student services Services delivered to multiple campuses Computer skills for staff (e.g., Outlook) Rise of email, web pages New ways of recruiting students Role change from authority to consultant, computerized orientation Change coming in degree requirement, residency Automatic degree audits Looking for new ways to put high touch into services Group 3 Curriculum requires technology Increasing competition between educational providers Dramatic increase in needs for ESL Group 4 Community colleges: Hot and Now entitlement issues Life is to be easy, happy, don't have to work; whole generation has only known affluence Shopping for the best deal in colleges Nothing should be inconvenient, look for the fastest services Dealing with the cost of technology Workshops on the job, seeking how to retain a job Technology is continually raising the bar Bigger and bigger gap between those comfortable with computer technology and the computer illiterate Training to keep current with technology, not enough human resource development Erosion of social skills: impact in the classroom, cooperative learning Student services in community colleges: Determining how to best serve students increased workloads, high touch vs. high tech What do we give up as work loads increase? Accountability: time it takes to prove Competition for students No time to reflect, we can't teach what we don't have Trying to be all things to all people Emphasis on bottom line Retention problems Students without clear goals and our inability to assist in a changing environment Shift from credentials to skills and job orientation Group 5 Investments (capital outlay) in computers and training Curriculum use of technology Customer service initiatives due to an increase in demand Increase in employee job demands and/or responsibilities leading to a push for an increase in efficiency Increases in competition for students Community colleges implementing more programs to update employee skills but not necessarily to receive an advanced degree (customized or short term training) ESL on the increase Group 6 Community colleges: Increased competition Blurred boundaries Increased use of technology Partnering Cross-training One-stop shopping Holistic approach: developmental education & wellness Outcome based assessments, reporting internally versus externally Retention, recruitment Guarantee results Learning styles, delivery of instruction of material More partnering Student satisfaction, success Learning communities More budget conscious Increased cooperation between student services and academics Student services in community colleges: Restructuring college-wide and student services Expected to use technology, enrollment management Pervasive technology Touch-tone registration Expected hours/days of service, voicemail/messages 24 hours Recruitment techniques modified Marketing importance increases, search for target audience Cross-training in student services Role of student services when there is on-line instruction Leveraging financial aid for recruitment Developmental education implications Increased tutoring services Increased handicapped services Less personal counseling: concentrate on career and advising Part-time personnel increased, more training needed More professional development Group 7 Community colleges: Forced to change due to customer demands for enhanced services Scrambling for numbers Days, times, location scheduling of classes has changed Competition for students has enhanced Business offers training Emphasis on training – not degrees Privatizing education and services Virtual automotive college Virtual university Student services in community colleges: Champions for our students: communicate what students want and need for quality services Shopping for services and training is easy Quality assurance Customer focus, services One-stop shopping, focus for students Assessment, orientation, etc. require personal intervention for new students Accountability outcomes are here Computer literacy for staff, research, and students Privacy issues exist We need a buy-out for some staff Student services and all parts of the college are responsible for retention Students have internet/email technology fee to permit access Hope/tax credit & scholarship Technician within student services to resolve IT problems Expanded job duties – staff forced to wear more hats Competency based education Outcomes assessment important


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