The Impact of Online Shopping on Higher Education
Learn to implement eCommerce best practices and create a positive learning experience.
It’s no wonder college affordability is in the news so much these days, given that tuition has risen over the past 30 years at a rate that surpasses even healthcare costs. Shifting state appropriations, spiraling costs (including providing healthcare to university employees) and other factors have conspired to create our current situation, and on top of all of that, we now learn from the Census Bureau that college enrollments were down by almost 500,000 students from 2011 to 2012.
But there are still many people for whom education is the key to their future, so how can institutions help these learners manage the cost of achieving their goal? As is often the case, I find some simple words of wisdom from my father appropriate: “When the only tool you have is a hammer, the whole world starts looking like a nail.”
With apologies to Abraham Maslow, higher learning institutions have huge investments in the tools of the trade: facilities, faculties and degree programs. And while these served students well for generations, modern times require other tools to fill up our toolbox and keep costs low for non-traditional learners.
Here are a few that come to mind, and I suspect readers can offer many more that will be of value:
And whatever you do, don’t overlook your continuing education (CE) unit. They probably already know how to lower the cost of attendance while bolstering the good name of the institution. If you don’t have a CE unit, build one! They will be worth their weight in gold in the new economy of badges and certificates that are only going to become more prevalent in the coming years.
Learn to implement eCommerce best practices and create a positive learning experience.
Author Perspective: Administrator
I’m shocked by Rawls’ suggestion to use adjuncts to replace full-time faculty. This is the classic example of cutting corners and sacrificing quality education for the sake of saving a few bucks. Now, I’m not saying adjunct faculty are less capable than tenured, full-time faculty. However, the truth is, many adjuncts work under poor conditions, where they are forced to juggle multiple, low-paying teaching jobs just to make ends meet, and where they often work without benefits. This model is unsupportable and is a disservice to both students and staff. This is not how to make college affordable; this is how to cheapen it.
I agree that one disingenuous tactic that has crept into higher education is how we try to “upsell” students by encouraging certificate seekers to enroll in a diploma or degree program. This is unfortunate, as they often end up in programs that don’t suit their needs or learning style. They may become frustrated and have difficulty finishing their credential. This not only taints their experience with the institution (and, consequently, the institution’s reputation), but it also puts a strain on institutional resources such as academic advising, counselling and financial aid that these students seek out to get them through their experience.
It’s important to offer “no frills” options for adult students. For example, adult students — even some online ones — are often forced to pay ancillary fees that go toward programs they never access. Programs should be set up so that the extras are “opt-outable.”