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Higher Education and the New Hampshire Economy
By Laura Knoy on Tuesday, March 10, 2009.
The recession has seemed to hit almost every industry in New Hampshire hard and that includes higher education. For many of these institutions enrollments are down, as are the school’s endowments; that’s resulted in layoffs, hiring freezes and cuts in projects and programs. But some smaller and less expensive colleges have seen a lift in enrollments, as high school seniors are choosing these schools over their higher priced counterparts. Also, those out of work are going back to school to be retrained. We’ll look at how the economy has affected New Hampshire’s colleges and universities.
Guests
- Tom Horgan, president of the New Hampshire College and University Council
- Kathryn Dodge, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission
We'll also hear from
- Mark Huddleston, president of the University of New Hampshire
- Richard Gustafson, chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire
- Adam Keller, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration at Dartmouth College
- Paul LeBlanc, president of of Southern New Hampshire University
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Hi Laura,
The recent recession combined with the progressively increasing cost of college is diverting a growing number of both high school graduates and adult students toward alternative approaches of earning their college degree. The Community College System of NH is seeing considerable growth in their student population. Similarly, Granite State College; The University System of NH’s statewide college for adults, is experiencing increasing enrollment. The combination of affordability, flexible course scheduling and credit for prior learning, has drawn adults who see degree completion as a means to becoming more attractive in an increasingly competitive job market. We are also seeing a growth in the number of traditional age students, who find that the cost of residential colleges and universities may not be financially feasible; especially in these difficult economic times. With nine academic centers spread throughout the state and a robust online course catalog, Granite State College provides access to a college education to those who may not have the means or the work schedule to earn their degree in a traditional manner.
Congrats,NHPR on the wide range of guest on todays show (March 11th)
As a first year assistant professor without tenure, the current economic decline weighs heavily on my mind. I teach at Colby-Sawyer College, which is nearly completely funded by tuition. This being the case, we probably are not as impacted by the crisis as institutions that are more dependent on their endowments. However, though application numbers are up here, the unknown of actual numbers of students that will enroll has some of us on edge.
On the upside greening the campus becomes more attractive as saving energy has the double benefit of reducing emissions and costs.
A naive question: Why don't the well-endowed schools, like Dartmouth -- spend down a portion of their capital in these lean times? After all, they're nonprofit institutions with an educational mission, not hedge funds. I'm curious.
Great show - just want to be sure listeners know that they can get free help through the college process from the Center for College Planning at NHHEAF. This includes one-on-one assistance filing the financial aid forms and comparing offers of financial assistance!
Thanks,
Tara
I worked at UNH, and now own my own business that has me traveling to campuses across the country. I see the same disturbing trend everywhere I go. Constant expansion. Millions of dollars being spent on new buildings, which requires them to keep increasing enrollment, which ends up lowering standards. There are so many students in higher ed that really don't belong there. They can't cut it academically.
How much longer can institutions play this game? You can't just keep growing and spending forever. The status of a school should be determined by its students and faculty, not its buildings.