INFORMATION FOR PRESIDENTS, VICE-CHANCELLORS, CHIEF INNOVATION
OFFICERS, ENROLLMENT MANAGERS, DEANS OF ADMISSION, AND REGISTRARS
MARGUERITE J. DENNIS
BULLETIN #21 AUGUST 24-28, 2020
GOOD NEWS
Final fall 2020 enrollment statistics are still a few weeks away. Most higher
education officials, responsible for enrollment, expect a decrease in the number
of domestic and international students enrolling on their campuses.
But there may be some reason for optimism down the road. According to
BONARD’s Student Travel Business Barometer 2019 annual report of 149 study
tour operators and 1.8 million students, demand for study abroad, short-term
programs, college tours and language studies increased substantially over 2018.
Because students could not travel abroad in 2020, they may in 2021, if and when
a vaccine is available and widely distributed.
Currently, 172 countries are taking part in WHO global vaccine funding and
despite the geopolitical conflict between the United States and China, scientists
from both countries are working cooperatively to find a vaccine for COVID-19.
TRADITIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION COMPETITORS
Moody’s Investors Service predicts the pandemic will usher in new higher
education business models through an increase in online capabilities and
expanding non-degree certificate programs. Google, for example, is expanding its
certificate programs in technical fields. Kent Walker, Google’s senior vice
president of global affairs, wrote: “College degrees are out of reach for many
Americans, and you shouldn’t need a college diploma to have economic security.”
In hiring, Google plans to consider graduates of its certificate programs the same
as graduates with a four-year degree.
There is a growing interest among future students, and not just adult students, for
micro credentials, boot camps and shorter, skills-based, online courses tied to
specific careers.
In the Reimagined University, the chief innovation officer is collaborating now
with admission deans and faculty to create shorter and cheaper skills-based
certificate programs.
In the Reimagined University the registrar, in collaboration with the alumni
office, has contacted former students notifying them of new certificate
programs.
REIMAGINED UNIVERSITY
The American University in Dubai has initiated a progression agreement with
Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK. Under the agreement, students
can study three years in Dubai and progress to their fourth year in the UK.
Students in this program can graduate with a degree from both universities,
including a BA((Hons) business administration management degree from
Manchester Metropolitan University.
In the Reimagined University the chief innovation officer has identified potential
degree and certificate program partners and in collaboration with the dean of
enrollment management, academic deans and the university’s legal staff, is
drawing up articulation and combined degree agreements.
Currently in the United states, there are 231 class-action suits filed by students to
receive full or partial tuition refunds for semesters with only online teaching.
In The Reimagined University the president or vice chancellor, in collaboration
with the chief financial officer, has created a differential pricing plan for in-
person and online teaching and has communicated that information to all
potential and current students and their families. Better progression and
graduation rates have been factored into the pricing strategy to offset the
reduction in tuition from reduced classroom instruction.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
On August 27, 2020, Zoom Video Communications received reports of users on
August 24 th not being unable to visit its website or start and join its meetings. The
outages lasted for several hours and were widespread. Some classes in the United
States were cancelled as a result of the disruption of service.
TAKEAWAY
Like it or not, Zoom and several other similar platforms, are, and will continue to
be, part of our world. This is how students will be recruited, meetings will be held
and how classes will be taught for the foreseeable future.
FINAL NOTE
Zoom stock has more than quadrupled this year!