Reaching Beyond Our Offices and Classrooms: Access, Affordability, and Community Impact

Transcription

1 Ronda Rudd Menlove, PhD Representative, Utah House of Representatives Senior Vice Provost, Utah State University Reaching Beyond Our Offices and Classrooms: Access, Affordability, and Community Impact

2 Reaching beyond Our world is changing. Where we work Where we teach How we teach How our students learn How we measure learning How policymakers view our work Technology and policy intersection.

3 Access Technology investment in interactive video & web broadcast Statewide UEN backbone Advanced technology Enhanced connectivity Dispersed faculty Redefined classroom Expanded student learning opportunities

4 Access Online delivery is here to stay. 77% of CAOs surveyed report online learning outcomes to be the same or somewhat superior or superior to face-to-face. 32% of higher education students take at least one online course. CAOs heavily weighted faculty lack of acceptance as barrier to widespread adoption of online education. MOOCs 12% CAOs have or planning a MOOC. Credit for courses: institutional review processes in place Corporate partnerships: Coursera, Academic Partnerships --Allen, I. E. & Seaman (2013) Changing course: Ten years of tracking online education in the United States.

5 Access What next? Competency-based credit March 19, 2013: The U.S. Department of Education has endorsed competency-based education with the release today of a letter that encourages colleges to seek federal approval for degree programs that do not rely on the credit hour to measure student learning. And

6 Affordability Our funding structures are changing. New Utah state/legislative funding is focused on mission-based initiatives and equity or targeted to specific programs. Federal cuts are driving researchers to seek funding from private entities. Tuition funds a greater portion of higher education costs.

7 Affordability State Funding for Higher Education FY 1985 to FY % 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% UU USU WSU SUU 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% Snow DSC CEU UVU SLCC

8 declining state funds Utah System of Higher Education Total Institutional Appropriations - FY % 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 84.4% 82.7% 80.1% 78.9% 76.8% 76.6% 76.2% 71.9% 69.0% 30% 20% 10% 0% CEU Snow SUU DSC WSU UU USU UVSC SLCC State Funds Dedicated Credits Other

9 declining state funds UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION TOTAL INSTITUTIONAL APPROPRIATIONS - FY % 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 69.1% 58.5% 58.9% 53.1% 51.1% 50.2% 47.1% 39.4% 10% 0% Snow USU DSC SLCC UU WSU SUU UVU State Funds Dedicated Credits Other

10 Utah Tuition costs

11 Debt to degree ratio Utah's spending per degree awarded is the 3rd lowest in the nation at about $42,000 Utah's "debt-to-degree" ratio is 3 rd lowest in the nation at $7,175 Debt-to-degree ratio varies from $1,622 at USU Eastern to $11,849 at Utah Valley University For-profits debt-to-degree ratio varies from Utah College of Massage Therapy at $30,400 to Stevens-Henager College at $65,000 Western Governors University, a private nonprofit online school $80,000 (may be a statistical anomaly) Utah gets best of both worlds: low debt on students and low burden on taxpayers

12 $10,000 Degree Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, California Texas Texas A & M San Antonio + Alamo Colleges + High School Dual (Concurrent) Enrollment Information Technology degree by age 20 California High School Advanced Placement Community College 60 credits University must accept all credits and complete degree Utah Senator Steve Urquhart (R) St. George blog post August 19, 2012 Most-Affordable Pathway to a college degree (MAP Degrees)... the MAP Degrees would combine high school concurrent enrollment, a New Century Scholarship ($1,250/semester for college students who complete their associates degree while in high school), and 2 years of residential college. Utah residents could obtain a college degree for $3,000 to $10,000 (depending on the state institution they choose to attend).

13 Community impact Impact on the individual

14 Community impact Impact on the family College graduates are more satisfied with their jobs avoid poverty need less public assistance are less likely to be in jail have better health have better health insurance have happier marriages have lower infant child mortality prepare their children for school enrich their children s lives raise college graduates have better retirement plans

15 Community impact Impact on the community Jobs requiring postsecondary education are growing at ten times the rate of jobs for high school grads and dropouts. 53% of Utah employers can t find employees with the right skills. By 2018, 66% of jobs will require postsecondary education.

16 Community impact Impact on the state

17 Reaching beyond Policymakers are seeking outcomes. technology rich efficiency degree completion measured competence employment employer satisfaction economic impact and benefit

18 Utah legislature