This Week In College Viability (TWICV)

Gary Stocker
This Week In College Viability (TWICV)

Welcome to the podcast. We call it TWICV. It is our effort to provide a fast-paced, entertaining, and alternative voice to the propaganda and hype flowing out of colleges in America today. This week in College Viability is a proud affilate of The EdUP Experience podcast network.

  1. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 16, 2024

    5 DAYS AGO

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 16, 2024

    I have a big announcement to start off today’s show. After reading, listening and watching the traditional higher education media, I have realized that is not me.  I don’t do cookbook stories on how to fix higher education on the margins.  I don’t engage in trite college stories about ‘awesome’ or ‘excited’ events or personalities. It is time for me to step forward and share that I am your Self-appointed ‘alternative higher education media source’   Giggle if you will.  Roll your eyes if you must.  My operating premise (right or wrong) has been that Higher Education is in the midst of an economic model adjustment that will inevitably result in consolidation – in the form of continuing closures and increased merger activity. I try to be polite.  Some have called me somewhat bombastic.  I can live with that. I do offer ‘sarcasm alerts’  I have interest in engaging in collegial discussions with those who have other thoughts. I have also had too many say: “Gary, keep doing what you are doing”.  To those, I thank you. This podcast and the other media that I do will continue to lovingly poke the current Higher Education bear in a never-ending attempt to do my small part to move the industry past its historical model and toward one that recognizes the Higher Education industry financial needs  fewer colleges Show Notes:Drexel U. lays off 60 staffers due to enrollment drop, ‘flawed’ FAFSA rolloutPortland State to lay off 17 faculty members; union says more layoffs could be comingSF State faculty mourn upcoming layoffs in New Orleans-style funeral marchIntel ruled tech. Now it’s in deep trouble Higher Ed’s Governance problem      See how many colleges may close after 2029 A Reimagined Jewell (College) Emporia State University president faults tech college for competition, envisions hostile takeover Iowa private college officials confident in popularity, sustainability of increased financial aid When Gown Leaves Town

    32 min
  2. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 9, 2024

    DEC 9

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 9, 2024

    This week's episode has some action in layoffs and cutbacks.  I thought we had an imminent closure, but Keystone College is still trying to ride out a nearly impossible financial situation with appeals of their accreditation removal.  Poor students. +  I have never used ‘fake news’ in this podcast before, but I have a story about college completion rates trending up that fits that categorization. + I have added a section on ‘College Drivel”  ‘to talk stupidly or carelessly’.  Prepare to nod your head in agreement. + Affluent White Students Are Skipping College, and No One Is Sure Why.   I know why. Show Notes UNO to consolidate colleges, lay off administrators to address $15M shortfallFaculty Push Back Against Staffing Cuts Recommended for State CollegesNo letup in financial pressure on colleges in 2025, Fitch says With $252 million in projected debt, Barnard makes cuts to faculty and staff benefitsCollege Completion Rates Trending Up2 Seattle Colleges Announce MergerAffluent White Students Are Skipping College, and No One Is Sure WhyDual Enrollment Is a Deceptive Fix for Declining AdmissionsOur Opinion: Keystone College deserving of time to prove viability

    27 min
  3. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 2, 2024

    DEC 2

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 2, 2024

    News and commentary stories this week: + Webster University’s financial distress from HLC.  More of those designations coming? + Keystone college could lose their accreditation later this month. + Central State (OH)  makes major changes +  The Bell Tolls from Richard K. Vedder  James G Martin Center for Academic Renewal.  I will focus on graduation rates and poor financial health.

    17 min
  4. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 25, 2024

    NOV 25

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 25, 2024

    There is much higher education news this 2024 Thanksgiving week. Headlines + Some layoffs and cutbacks this week + 2 stories that suggest college leaders may be moving more aggressively in their relationships with faculty + Anderson U Fitch rating heads south. + More ugly spin on a college with an unsustainable financial pattern + St. Augustine U sells off the farm to stay afloat Show Notes and links: As Fontbonne University winds down, its students leave to finish their studiesDrexel University lays off 60 employees in face of ‘structural imbalance’ in operating budgetSaint Augustine’s U., on the Brink of Fiscal Collapse, Enters a $30-Million Credit AgreementBoston U Suspends Admissions to Humanities and Social Science Ph.D. Programs Former TSU President Sets the Record Straight Fitch Revises Anderson University, IN's Outlook to Negative; Affirms IDR and Revs at 'B-' Accreditor confirms HLGU turnaround, removes university from probation

    21 min
  5. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 18, 2024

    NOV 18

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 18, 2024

    It is the week before Thanksgiving and my prediction of the college closure rate picking up steam has not yet developed.  I still believe that there are scores of colleges out there without the resources to be viable.  My concern is now moving toward how many of these will wait too long and must announce their closure with very short notice to students, faculty, staff, and communities. Time will tell. For this economic imbalance to get to some sort of supply and demand equilibrium, many more colleges need to close.   So, this week’s news and commentary is heavy on that theme.  The stories are: Show note links: ·         Tennessee State University lays off 114 employees amid financial crisis ·         Harris Stowe and HLG stories both back on full accreditation. I have concerns with both. ·         Several St. Louis colleges make watchlist for financial risk             Let’s Regulate Colleges Like Businesses

    25 min
  6. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 11, 2024

    NOV 11

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 11, 2024

    The Red Guy won and the Blue lady lost.   I am guessing most of us have read and listened to countless stories about the outcome and potential future impact of last Tuesday’s national election. Here is a 'This Week' prediction for you.  “It’s impact on HE was going to be materially insignificant no matter whether red or blue one.” + I also look at both student reporters and the college leaders they interview.+ States are taking on fewer college costs. Who is picking up the bill?+ 2 stories and commentary on the election's impact on HE.+ $500 tuition per semester.  Is it sustainable ? Click here to get a private college financial health bundle for $499 (Retails at $1,795.) Click here to get a PUBLIC college financial health bundle for $499 (Retails at $1,795.)

    17 min
  7. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 4, 2024

    NOV 4

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for November 4, 2024

    AI-generated takeaways More students are choosing not to pursue college education.Free tuition initiatives can lead to negative consequences for faculty and staff.Enrollment declines have long-term financial impacts on institutions.HBCUs are facing significant challenges with graduation rates.Graduation rates are often overlooked in favor of enrollment numbers.Choosing a college requires careful consideration of its financial health.Support for higher education is crucial for societal progress.The college viability manifesto emphasizes the importance of informed college choices.Chapters:00:00 Election Day and Higher Education Trends 02:55 Layoffs and Financial Struggles in Colleges 05:47 Free Tuition Initiatives and Their Consequences 08:45 Enrollment Declines and Financial Health of Institutions 12:14 Tennessee State University: A Case Study 15:06 The State of HBCUs and Graduation Rates 18:02 The Higher Education Bubble and Its Implications 20:50 The College Viability Manifesto Show notes:Webster University to close all remaining military campusesFaculty and staff reductions coming to the University of Akron: ‘Challenging but necessary change’Admin announces no faculty layoffs (Rider U)Reporting on College Finances (for education reporters)Tennessee State University faces urgent financial crisis, implements immediate cost-cutting measures What preliminary enrollment data from fall 2024 tells us Central State University (OH) on ‘Fiscal Watch’ The cost of college is quietly going down The higher education bubble is finally bursting To purchase one of the 2024 College Viability Apps, click here.

    27 min

  8. OCT 30

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) Special with Robert Heil for October 30, 2024

    Robert Heil, CEO of Financial Aid Services, joins me to talk about removing friction from the financial aid process, the importance of comparing good and bad 4-year graduation rates, and finding ways to make colleges more accountable for graduating their students. Robert also talks about the challenges of college leaders in this day and age.  It's worth a listen.

    28 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Welcome to the podcast. We call it TWICV. It is our effort to provide a fast-paced, entertaining, and alternative voice to the propaganda and hype flowing out of colleges in America today. This week in College Viability is a proud affilate of The EdUP Experience podcast network.

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