This Week In College Viability (TWICV)

Gary Stocker
  • 5.0 (4)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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 May 4, 2026

    8H AGO

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for May 4, 2026

    This week’s show starts somewhere you wouldn’t expect a college viability conversation to begin… a softball field. A routine game. A swarm of honeybees. And a moment that turned into one of those unforgettable college experiences that gets shared, liked, and remembered. Here’s the clip from Lindenwood University softball—and at first glance, it’s everything families think college is supposed to be.(https://x.com/lindenwoodsb/status/2050360836225482921?s=58&t=RRp3EfLfsCOV4T1DFy_2zw) Fun. Memorable. A little unpredictable. But as we move from that moment into the rest of this week’s stories, the tone shifts. Because while everyone can see the honeybees on the field,  almost no one sees the financial pressures behind the scenes. This week, we’re digging into: Saint Augustine’s University declaring bankruptcy—but insisting it won’t close Hampshire College looking to sell land to cover a $25 million debt  A looming 32% drop in high school graduates in Illinois—while lawmakers still push for more funding  A “shot-in-the-dark” strategy unfolding at Naropa University And a blunt critique from inside Hampshire: Cowardice and the Closing of Hampshire CollegeShow Notes and links: UNT approves buyouts for professors, faculty as it tackles budget shortfallsSaint Augustine’s Declares Bankruptcy but Won’t CloseHampshire College to sell campus, land to pay $25 million debtIllinois’ number of high school grads to plunge 32%. Lawmakers still want more college money. Missouri S&T applications drop due to AI, international shiftsConfusing financial aid offers can leave families deeper in debt. Student groups say a new fix doesn’t go far enoughDeloitte just dropped its 2026 Higher Education Trends report Boulder’s Naropa University to reduce tuition to attract enrollment growth Cowardice and the Closing of Hampshire CollegeWanna Bee Best Friends (X video)

    26 min
  2. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for April 27, 2026

    APR 27

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for April 27, 2026

    This week’s news and commentary include: + We have a 2nd college closure announcement in Mass. + More cuts for majors and programs.  The list gets longer each week.  There are few better signs of an industry in contraction than this. + Students at a closed college (Martin University) sue the leadership. + Sports programs at the big-brand name colleges continue to be sliced away. + And much more. This is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else. Show notes: Get the College Viability Transparency tool. Get the 2026 College Majors Completion App for students and families.Anna Maria College (MASS) announces abrupt closure, citing financial and enrollment woesAccepted and enrolled students say they were blindsided by Anna Maria College closing in Paxton, MassachusettsIowa regents approve 10 program cuts at 2 universitiesState universities (Iowa) gain initial approval to eliminate low-enrollment programsMichigan State, University of Michigan face over 60% cut under state funding billStudents, Staff, Alumni Sue Martin (University) Over ClosureTemple has lost average of $200 million annually as enrollment slides, and retention rates are a major issue, internal report saysArkansas to drop men's and women's tennis for financial reasonsStudents ‘devastated' as Hampshire College becomes latest small school to closeFlag Football Teams Are a New Pitch for Small Colleges to Lure StudentsDrexel’s new president must tackle a deficit and declining enrollment. He sees it as a ‘moment of reinvention.’The college crisis that Ohio leaders and governor candidates are too scared of to solve

    32 min
  3. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for April 13, 2026

    APR 13

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for April 13, 2026

    The final podcast show originating from St. Louis, MO.   Life is taking us to Colorado.  The podcasts will continue from there on April 27th. This week: + Half off at Hopkins: Carey Business School offers steep discounts to Maryland grads + Maine puts the screws to private colleges with a free and permanent college scholarship program. + Small private colleges are dying in a winner-take-all university marketplace.  In football, I would get a piling on penalty . . . but I am going to talk about it anyway. + TDR continues to increase – to the benefit of students.  Not so much to colleges in need of more revenue.  Show notes: 2026 College Majors Completion app for Academic Leaders 2026 College Majors Completion app for students and families.Earlham ends some majors to cut costsBGSU to suspend 6 degree programs, 'reconfigure' 20 more in 2027 ( Partial list of programs below.) * Half off at Hopkins: Carey Business School offers steep discounts to Maryland grads(Maine) Governor Mills Signs Supplemental Budget at EMCC, Making Free College Scholarship PermanentMatt Hisrich post on college net price decreases The small private colleges dying in a winner-take-all university marketplaceDan Silverburg post on tuition discount rates. *BGSU says six programs will be suspended entirely without alternative options: Bachelor of Arts in GeographyBachelor of Musical Arts and one in Musical CompositionBachelor of Science in PhysicsThe following programs will be reconfigured and offered through alternative or related academic pathways, according to the university: Bachelor of Arts in Communication – TheatreBachelor of Arts in EconomicsBachelor of Arts in Film StudiesBachelor of Science in Gerontology with a specialization in long term care administrationBachelor of Science in Nutrition SciencesBachelor of Science in Public HealthBachelor of Science in StatisticsThere are four additional programs BGSU is seeking permission from the Ohio Department of Higher Education to consolidate into alternative offerings: Bachelor of Arts in American Culture StudiesBachelor of Arts in Ethnic StudiesBachelor of Arts in Popular CultureBachelor of Arts in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies

    22 min
  4. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for April 6, 2026

    APR 6

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for April 6, 2026

    This week's podcast show includes news and commentary on: + Academic Purges Continue As More Colleges Close Their Degree Programs + Indiana lifts the lid on college program costs + Illinois wants to be like Missouri;  Bill introduced in Illinois House to study higher education funding + A CC is adding football. + Wrap this week with a more detailed look a how we should inspect colleges similar to how we inspect houses before we purchase them. Show notes and links 2026 College Majors Completion app for students & families2026 College Majors Completion app for academic leaders Keene State College will undergo reorganization to mitigate budget deficit and declining enrollmentUnprofitable majors could be on chopping block at SC’s public colleges. Here’s whyIndiana lifts the lid on college program costs — but the numbers aren’t easy to compare Academic Purges Continue As More Colleges Close Their Degree Programs Metro East community college bets on football to grow enrollment and campus prideBill introduced in Illinois House to study higher education fundingCollege Viability Transparency Tool

    28 min
  5. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for March 30, 2026

    MAR 30

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for March 30, 2026

    This week’s top stories and commentary: + Layoffs and cutbacks including cancellation of a December graduation event at an Ohio college + Bill would let Kentucky universities lay off tenured faculty during financial crisis + Missouri wants to subsidize public colleges based on their enrollment.  You can imagine the protests coming from colleges. +ED Plans to ease merger pathways.  I have some notes on that. Here are the show notes and links College Majors Completion App College Viability Transparency Tool - (Complimentary trial) Syracuse University to axe nine majors as cost-cutting at the school continues Walla Walla Community College eyes 43 layoffs, closing a branch campusBaldwin Wallace University cancels December 2026 commencement amid financial concernsCentral Ohio (Old Dominican) university misses debt payment following years of financial, enrollment losses Bill would let Kentucky universities lay off tenured faculty during financial crisis Plan to defund some Missouri colleges and universities hits wall in Senate ED Plans to Ease Merger Pathways

    20 min
  6. This Week in College Viability (TWICV) for March 23, 2026

    MAR 24

    This Week in College Viability (TWICV) for March 23, 2026

    We are now well past 200 'This Week' episode.  Each week, there are hundreds of downloads across a variety of podcast distribution sites we use.  I continue to get feedback to 'keep doing what you are doing  - it is needed'. So this week:  + Layoffs and cutbacks continue across higher ed. + Iowa can’t decide on bachelors for CC’s + Of course, college faculty want the feds to give them more money + You can’t count enrollment growth twice. + Students & parents need a housing (college) inspector Show notes:Get the 2026 College Majors Completion App University of North Texas Cuts 70+ Programs to Close $45 Million Deficit — Linguistics, Women's Studies and 25 Minors Among the CasualtiesUMaine to lay off staff as it slashes $5.6M from budgetPlan for 4-year degrees from Iowa community colleges hits Senate snagHundreds of Colleges and Professors Implore Ed. Dept. to Reverse ‘Dangerous’ Changes for Grad StudentsWhat’s Behind the 2025 College Enrollment Surge?If you're a parent of a current or future college student, check out the tool we have prepared that will help you navigate the financial health and viability of colleges you are considering.  Click here for a courtesy spin of the College Viability Transparency Tool.

    20 min
  7. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for March 16, 2026

    MAR 16

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for March 16, 2026

    This week on 'This Week': + Lots of layoffs and cutbacks.  This is a pattern folks.  For those in denial or trying to cover up the financial challenges colleges face.  This is a pattern. + Swarthmore College wants to change accreditors.  The reasons are interesting. + If you can’t consistently generate positive cash from operation, sell something.  That’s what Rider University (NJ) did. + How about a new ‘no confidence vote’  This one at Old Dominion University.  Spoiler alert:  Their 4 YGR is only at 50% in 2024. + The HLC takes some poetic license with the social media post on recent enrollment increases.  I am here to fill in the details they left out in the post. + and more Show notes: Rutgers Says It May Lay Off 37 Faculty MembersWith fewer students and higher costs, many Massachusetts districts weigh school closures and mergersCT university (New Haven U) tells faculty contract non-renewals coming. Why academic programs also face axNew Jersey City University–Kean Merger Triggers 151 Layoffs & BuyoutsUniversity of Providence in Great Falls declares financial exigency The New School Will Reduce Faculty and Staff by 15% Amid a Financial ReorganizationSwarthmore Applies to Switch its Accreditation Agency to New England CommissionRider University Sells Part of Campus to County in $10M DealOld Dominion Faculty Vote No Confidence in Leaders Over Plan to Compress Online Courses

    25 min
  8. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for Mar 9, 2026

    MAR 9

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for Mar 9, 2026

    Make sure to stick with the podcast to the end.  I used one of my AI tools to help me write the wrap for this week.  It came up with a fascinating conclusion. Hint:  higher education has become an industry of spin and hiding bad data. This week’s top stories and commentary: + The uncomfortable question about direct admissions + Keystone College accreditation reaffirmed by Middle States Commission + In Illinois, they Punish the winners and subsidize the loser public colleges + There is a faculty protest at DePaul University.  Well faculty protests are not news, they are as common as the sun rising.  This one has some interesting spin. Show Notes: Major restructuring will merge two Boise State schools, and close a collegeSEMO Spin -  University enrollment grows.  Officials report 167 more students for Spring 2026.8 Education Trends That Are Changing College AdmissionsFinancial viability of women’s sports at heart of Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection ActIllinois boosts universities losing students, punishes gainersKeystone College accreditation reaffirmed by Middle States CommissionMembers of DePaul faculty publish open letter opposing the closure of art museumDirect Admissions- Cutting Out the Application

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 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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