Avoiding Sweet Briar: Five tips to help institutions become more nimble — from evoLLLution.com by Richard DeMillo
Excerpt:
Educators and administrators who study the demise of institutions like Sweet Briar must wonder what steps might have been taken to avoid a similar fate. Could Sweet Briar have foreseen the problems ahead and taken steps in a different direction? How does a modern college or university remain agile in the harsh and ever-changing marketplace of higher education?
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There is a disconnect between how a college or university functions and public perception. From research to classroom teaching, and even to administrative duties, faculty are expected to take on too much. As a result, innovation in education—a university’s main product—often takes a back seat.
When institutions become too assured of their central role, they inevitably lose ground to innovators who are better connected to the needs of students.
The shape of things to come: Five changes to move off Sweet Briar’s path — from evoLLLution.com by William G. Tierney
Excerpt:
To many of us, Sweet Briar College’s closure is not a singular example of a mismanaged institution but the proverbial canary in the coalmine. Many of our postsecondary institutions—especially under-endowed small liberal arts colleges—have to start changing or they will close. What needs to happen?
I certainly appreciate those of us who make forlorn calls for the noble aspirations of what academic life might once have been and perhaps one day could become again. At the same time, given the pace of change, if colleges and universities don’t get more with it, they will go out of business.
Addendum on 5/19/15:
- Reinventing the Liberal Arts College: Collaborating to Steer Clear of Sweet Briar — from evoLLLution.com by Brian Williams
Excerpt:
Sweet Briar College’s decision to close has given heightened attention to a set of thorny questions that higher education leaders, particularly those in liberal arts colleges, have pondered for some time, revolving around a central theme: “Why do liberal arts colleges need to change their business model and what should that change entail?”As is frequently the case, the answers are much more complicated than the questions. Although similar in many respects as a group, liberal arts colleges are quite diverse in their settings, their financial circumstances, the missions they pursue and how they allocate their resources. As was recently observed in the wake of the closing at Sweet Briar, “every small college’s circumstances are unique, as are the personalities of its leaders, and drawing conclusions based on what happened at other institutions may be of limited value.” [1]
Key is to remember that Sweet Briar is not an example of the future of small colleges; it is sui generis. Its issues are not a reflection of what is happening at other colleges. The closure does not signal future closures. What Sweet Briar does is remind us of the import of being nimble and flexible; the role and attitude and approach of the College’s interim president; the importance of transparency; the need for creativity; the value of alums, the need for key personnel in key positions (getting right people on the boat) and the list continues. Please, do not take from Sweet Briar that all small colleges are failing and will fail. Look at Sweet Briar as a counter-example: the example of what not to do. There are many institutions that are re-inventing themselves, providing quality education, reflecting well on changing times and adapting to the needs of the students of today and tomorrow. Focus on what others are doing right. No canaries.
Please do not see Sweet Briar as an exemplar of the prospective fate of small colleges. SB situation is sui generis.
Thanks Karen for taking the time to comment here; much appreciated. You bring up some good points; I especially would like to highlight what you mentioned about the need to be nimble, the need to adapt, and the need to reinvent one’s institution. I also second the ideas of being creative and transparent.
I posted those 2 articles from evolllution.com on my blog not to suggest all small colleges are unstable and are failing but because I aim to put some heat in the kitchen to make sure that that is not the case in the future. I aim to light a fire under our feet. I continue to urge *all* institutions — of *any* size — to be willing to experiment…to be willing to try new things…to be willing to fail and then learn from those experiments. If they don’t, alternatives to small colleges and to other institutions of higher ed will continue to arise and may gain some serious ground/traction. Also, if the corporate world and the students themselves start to look elsewhere, higher ed is in for a world of hurt.
So again, from the trends I’m seeing, *all* colleges and universities should be on high alert from here on out. If one is holding a steering wheel at one of those institutions, then that person needs to drive. To lead. People in leadership positions need to be willing to implement the experiments that will help us adapt/reinvent our institutions.
One of the key issues we must address is the issue of the costs of obtaining a degree. Many institutions of higher education have let their prices get far too high — and have now become out of reach for an increasing number of people…and that number increases each time/year that the prices continue to increase. We need prices to decrease – not increase; and we need to find ways to offer liberal arts education at more affordable prices. This is becoming an issue of social justice.
All that said, I want to circle back around and to be sure to thank you for taking the time to comment here. I appreciate you reminding us that many small colleges are in solid financial standing and they continue to offer excellent programs — programs that provide a solid foundation for students’ futures.
Thanks again Karen,
Daniel