Learn more about the discussions being had among the Higher Education Committee of 50 members as they home in on definitions of college access, accountability, affordability, and transparency and work to develop policy recommendations for lawmakers. Check back each week, through mid-August, for a new blog post from a member of the Higher Education Committee of 50 to read their observations and reflections about the work of their subgroups.
Making Accountability Matter
August 14, 2018 - James Kennedy shares how the Higher Education Committee of 50 accountability subgroup is examining alternative metrics to hold institutions accountable for student outcomes. Due to apparent loopholes in using the cohort default rate as a metric, he writes, many believe it to be ineffective.
College Affordability – Whose Responsibility Is It?
August 8, 2018 - "Students experiencing high levels of stress related to finances and meeting basic needs may struggle to reach their academic potential," Bob Collins, Vice President of Financial Aid for Western Governors University, explains. College faculty and higher education administrators share in the responsibility of keeping college affordable, he writes.
21st Century Challenges to Increasing Access to Higher Education
July 23, 2018 - Fred Lokken explains that, in the wake of the Great Recession, many in higher education have been "waiting for a return to normalcy for funding and enrollments," that will likely never come.
Now Is the Time to Play Offense in Higher Ed Policy
July 16, 2018 - Chuck Knepfle shares how the transparency subgroup of the Higher Education Committee of 50 is working to be proactive in higher education policy. "What in the world do the World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo have to do with the Higher Education Committee of 50 initiative?" Knepfle writes. "I found the common idea to be forward."
Moving the Needle on College Affordability
July 3, 2018 - Caleb Cornelius shares the definition of affordability his Higher Education Committee of 50 subcommittee has coalesced around. Now that the group has a working definition, "the challenge is how to ensure that each [component] aligns for each student while still measuring success on an institutional, state, or—in this case—federal level," he explains.
College Readiness and Small Conversations
June 27, 2018 - Victoria Onori Bowman offers a glimpse into the discussions taking place among access subgroup members. "A factor that we’ve been discussing at length is college readiness. For me, readiness is not only defined as being academically ready, but emotionally, socially, and culturally ready as well," she writes.
This Story Must Change
June 19, 2018 - Anne Kress discusses current efforts to streamline the financial aid process—the impact of which she says is questionable—and stresses the importance of making data on college costs and outcomes more transparent.
Changing Higher Ed to Maintain Hope of Social Mobility
May 30, 2018 - Angel B. Perez delves into perceptions of college cost and why it's important that we rethink current policies and practices related to admission and student success, particularly given the current political climate.
Transparency—A Familiar Buzzword in Higher Ed
May 21, 2018 - Kayla Guilford explains the need for a centralized data system that will allow students to easily access information to help them make informed decisions about their educational choices.
It's All Situational
May 14, 2018 - Using the Situational Leadership Model for context, Ellen Peters gives an update on the Higher Education Committee of 50's progress.
Why We Can’t ‘Afford’ to Limit Ourselves to Definitions
May 7, 2018 - David Sheridan discusses the Higher Education Committee of 50's first in-person convening and reflects on what the term “affordability” encompasses.