Page 200 - Crisis in Higher Education

Building Bridges to Potential Employers • 171

2. Declining state support for public universities (root cause 2): When
potential employers, graduates, and the graduates’ support group see
better outcomes, they are more likely to favor an increase in state
support for public universities.
3. Rise of the ruling class: Administration (root cause 3): As universities
focus on the trifurcated customer and their role as mediator, they
are more likely to reexamine costs. Administrative costs, which have
shown substantial increases, should be an area of focus.
4. Limited productivity improvements for universities (root cause 4):
When working closely with potential employers to maintain curric-
ular standards, improve pedagogy, and enhance outcomes, faculty
will see opportunities to improve their productivity.
5. Rapidly growing costs for books and supplies (root cause 5): As curri-
cula and pedagogy are refined, textbooks and other learning materi-
als can be redesigned substantially to reduce cost.
6. Expanding student expectations (root cause 7): When potential
employers interact with students, students are more focused on
outcome, and they see new opportunities, so their expectations for
themselves and the university change.
7. Eroding standards (root cause 8): When potential employers are
involved, learning content and performance standards are main-
tained or increased. As this happens, educational outcomes improve
and students are better prepared for the workforce.
8. Lack of student preparation (root cause 9): As learning content and
performance standards are maintained or increase, the problem of
poorly prepared students is exposed and can be resolved with higher
admission standards or remedial work.

8.6 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Following is a list of the key recommendations that comprise this element
of the solution.

1. Universities should create PABs for each area of study by reach-
ing out to potential employers, graduate schools, and certification
and licensure agencies. PABs are vehicles that tenured and profes-
sional faculty can use to determine curricula and set performance