This Week In College Viability (TWICV)

Gary Stocker
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
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 Jan 20, 2025

    19 HR. AGO

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for Jan 20, 2025

    .  I want to start off today’s podcast with a story about 2 college professors I met.  I had the chance to meet and talk with these two kindred souls last week.  These two released a book on Amazon in December.   The title:  Bankrupt U.   The authors:  college professors: Bill Quain and Joe Corabi. These two experienced and entertaining professors and authors take on colleges and college faculty in a way that you will want to read. I will save the details for later.   They will be on the podcast as my special guests as soon as we can get a date lined up. This week I have news and commentary on: + Layoffs and Cutbacks at UNO, Columbia College (IL), and St. Norbert College + Webster University touts financial turnaround   - an absolutely ridiculous assertion that I shred to bits. + Freshman enrollment didn’t flop after all   _ not really that big of a story. +  More silliness at Guilford College in NCES + And, as always, much more. Show notes and links UNO to furlough hundreds of employees as it faces $10 million budget gapUniversity of New Orleans to furlough 290 employees, prepare for layoffs amid budget crisisBreaking: College lays off 23 full-time faculty amid historic restructuringSt. Norbert College considers additional faculty layoffsWebster University touts financial turnaround    Freshman enrollment didn’t flop after all 'We are not closing, we are changing' Latest Layoffs Deepen Worries About Future of St. Francis College Jeff Doyle 30 private NFP closures in 2024

    27 min
  2. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for January 13 2024

    JAN 13

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for January 13 2024

    This Week in College Viability headlines for January 13, 2025 + Bacone College Accreditation Withdrawn – College Drivel for Bacone’s response + Guilford College risks losing accreditation, probation extended through 2025. Board pres is leading the college’s efforts.   + Of course, the new ‘College Drivel’ section is on for today. + Which Colleges Always Lose Money? + Why You Should Check Your College's Financial Health from Kimberly Lankford at Kiplinger AI- generated Takeaways (edited) Bacone College has lost its accreditation but is not closing.Guilford College is on probation with its accrediting agency.The financial health of colleges is declining overall.Colleges need to challenge their assumptions about revenue.Deferred maintenance is a growing issue for many institutions.Market realities are driving changes in higher education.Data-driven insights are essential for understanding college viability.Show Note Links:Bacone College Accreditation WithdrawnDecember Brings Late Round of Job, Program CutsGuilford College risks losing accreditation, probation extended through 2025College operating costs rose 3.4% in fiscal 2024Which Colleges Always Lose Money?LI post from  Mark Sklarow CEO | Educator | Higher Education Specialist  Jan 10th.Higher Ed’s Grim New NormalThinking outside the M&A box Olin College, whose president is resigning, joins ranks of institutions facing financial and leadership difficulties Why You Should Check Your College's Financial Health Jon Boeckenstedt blog post

    30 min
  3. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for January 6, 2024

    JAN 6

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for January 6, 2024

    Summary In this episode of 'This Week in College Viability,' Gary Stocker discusses the current challenges facing higher education, including leadership changes at Guilford College, the merger of Gannon and Ursuline, and the implications of declining enrollment numbers. He emphasizes the need for financial transparency in colleges and explores the potential for class action suits to hold educational institutions accountable. The conversation also touches on the return on investment for students, the impact of career technical education programs, and the ethical concerns surrounding Pell churning. Stocker concludes with a critical view of the state of higher education and the necessity for reform. Takeaways Guilford College is facing significant financial challenges leading to leadership changes.Mergers like Gannon and Ursuline reflect the ongoing consolidation in higher education.Financial value transparency is crucial for students to make informed decisions.Class action suits may emerge as a means to hold educational institutions accountable.Return on investment varies significantly between colleges, with some elite schools underperforming.Career technical education programs are gaining popularity among Gen Z as viable alternatives to traditional college.Pell churning raises ethical concerns about how colleges manage student enrollment and retention. Sound Bites "Class action suits could improve American education""Reputation is not as important as major""The only question is when closures will happen""Pell churning is an ethical concern""Colleges are not ivory towers of excellence"00:00 Introduction to Higher Education Challenges 01:27 Guilford College Leadership Changes 03:50 Mergers in Higher Education: Gannon and Ursuline 07:01 The Impact of Enrollment Declines 09:53 Financial Value Transparency in Education 11:45 Class Action Suits and Educational Accountability 15:35 Return on Investment in Higher Education 19:02 Tennessee State University: A Case Study 20:32 Competition from Career Technical Education Programs 23:23 Pell Churning: Ethical Concerns in Enrollment 26:18 Conclusion: The Future of Higher Education Show Notes and Links Guilford College President Steps Down Amid Financial ChallengesGannon, Ursuline closer to merging. How, when the schools hope to uniteClass dismissed: Colleges expected to close as enrollment numbers tank The One Biden Education Policy Trump Should Keep Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education's Knocking at the College Door report Pick a college and graduate.  High-cost schools don't pay.  Earning a degree does. It's been a long year for TSU. 2025 will prove crucial for the school. Alcino Donadel - 2025 prediction on career technical education

    28 min
  4. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) with Special Guest: Sarah Clark

    JAN 5

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) with Special Guest: Sarah Clark

    The Kind Leadership Guild is a community for educational leaders striving to become more effective and humane with themselves, their team, and the people they serve, including a vibrant Facebook community, regular free zoom workshops, group coaching with fellow leaders, and more. Join me as Sarah Clark discusses higher education job loss, accreditation processes, and her Kind Leadership Guild.

    20 min
  5. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 23, 2024

    12/23/2024

    This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 23, 2024

    This is the final show for 2024.  I will be away with family next Monday. Here is some of what I have for this week's podcasts. + College viability is an alternative media source for higher education. + The College of St. Rose sells everything and still can't pay off creditors.+ Spin. Spin. Spin at University of Arkansas Little Rock.+ Too many colleges?  A Middle States commissioner says: "No".+ Another 'waiting too long' story at American Catholic University More Show NotesColumbia College Chicago to discontinue several degree programs, lay off faculty members‘We want stability’: Columbia College Chicago students and faculty consider options amid program cuts, impending layoffsMassive College Closures Remains A Misunderstood MythMost OU freshmen are not Oklahomans

    31 min
  6. This Week In College Viability (TWICV) for December 16, 2024

    12/16/2024

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

    12/09/2024

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

    12/02/2024

    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
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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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