Mark Champion sent the following notes from his group:

  The critical events identified in Task 1 are as follows:

  1. Universal WWW access.
  2. Financial aid criteria changes so that all formats (distance ed., OE/OE, etc.) are included.
  3. Greater participation of Hispanic population in higher education.
  4. Privatization of K-12 education.
  5. Computer skills requirement for all interesting freshman.
  6. Wireless technology will reduce costs of interconnectivity.
  7. Carnegie unit abolished.
  8. A different cost structure for on-line courses.
  9. Tenure eliminated.
  10. All colleges require foreign language competencies.
  11. Legislation fund private providers for job training.
  12. Community colleges held responsible for all development education.
  13. Separate departments eliminated.
  14. Partnerships instituted between public/private higher education institutions.
  15. College and universities institute business to business e-commerce practices.
  16. On-line registration is commonplace.
  17. Employers consider skill accumulation more important than degrees.
  18. Multiple avenues available for learning same content.
  19. Some curriculums disappear.
  20. Increased diversity in curriculums
  21. Increased diversity in enrollments.
  22. Student outcomes mandated in accountability.
  23. Computer viruses cause more frequent and critical shutdowns of electronically based higher education.

The top three critical events, their signals, and their implications are:

1.      Financial aid criteria change so that all formats are included: (distant education, open entry/open exit, etc.)

Signals of Change

Implications

For-profit education entities now qualified for financial aid.

More partnerships between public/private institutions of higher education.

Discussion at State/Federal level has increased.

More diverse enrollment with increased access to higher education.

Student demand for nontraditional formats.

Cost/benefits of change to institutions, individuals and general public.

Enrollment trends show increasing # of nontraditional students.

Innovative delivery methods are implemented.

 

More diverse curriculum established.

2.      Elimination of tenure.

Signals of Change

Implications

Increased dissent (resistance) over establishment of distance learning.

Faculty shortages

Increased part-time faculty

Personnel flexibility (curricular, costs)

Accelerated numbers of faculty retiring.

Loss of continuity.

Bennington has done away with tenure.

Loss of quality

Some community colleges don’t have tenure.

 

3.      Legislative funding for both public and private providers.

Signals of Change

Implications

School vouchers

Competitions for public resources

Charter Schools

Increase in coopetition

Economic development for job training grants to Private – Non-Profits.

Increased avenues (entry points) for learning.

Motorola University

Mandated indicators for student outcomes.

Dual degree programs

 

Performance indicators in 35 States

 

The group had time to consider only recommendations for action for the third event: Legislative funding for both public and private providers:

1.      Assess business/community needs.  Realign programs.

2.      Build partnerships with private entities.

3.      Develop and track indicators.

4.      Improve legal liaison office

5.      Improve ties w/ community support programs.

6.      Find market niche(s) through research strategic planning and signature programs.