Policymakers, In Memoriam, Cutting Costs, Accreditation

In Memoriam: Betty Capaldi Phillips

September 27, 2017 by Michael Poliakoff |

It is with great sadness that ACTA mourns the loss of Elizabeth Capaldi Phillips. Her career as a professor, scholar, and university administrator was one of brilliant achievement. It took only moments in...

Trustees, Governance, Cutting Costs, Accountability

Land of Opportunity

September 19, 2017 by Brianna Suggs |

From 1947–1995, “Land of Opportunity” was the official motto of the great State of Arkansas, before it was changed to “The Natural State.” Arkansas is the birthplace of Wal-Mart and cheese dip (which is...

Trustees, Cutting Costs, Accountability

Calculating and Cutting Costs: A Q&A on ACTA’s Project on Administrative Costs

July 26, 2017 by ACTA |

Since “The Great Recession,” both public and private colleges have been feeling a financial squeeze. Consequently, reformers are asking important questions about improving efficiency and fiscal...

Policymakers, Accountability

Keeping Track of Colleges—and Students

June 29, 2017 by Rushad Thomas |

Do students currently possess the tools they need to get good value for money out of their education? This question has produced a variety of creative efforts to evaluate the comparative strengths and...

Governance, Accountability, Academic Freedom, Academic Excellence

2017’s Top Stories for Higher Ed Reform…So Far

June 7, 2017 by Ted Eismeier |

Who sets the agenda for coverage of higher education issues in the news? Last week, ACTA had the opportunity to find out while attending the Education Writers Association 70th National Seminar at...

Trustees, Guides, Governance, Cutting Costs

Blueprints for Reform: A Q&A on ACTA’s New Guide on Cost, Efficiency and Innovation

May 5, 2017 by Kara Brounstein |

How can colleges do more with less? Bold Leadership, Real Reform 2.0: Improving Efficiency, Cutting Costs, and Expanding College Opportunity, is ACTA’s newest guide for trustees, describing innovative...

Assessment, Accreditation, Accountability

An Accreditation “Dear John” Letter: Two Top J-Schools Make a Big Move

May 3, 2017 by Ted Eismeier |

Is accreditation reform on the march? Possibly so. Paul Fain of Inside Higher Ed is out with a story covering the fascinating news that two prestigious journalism programs, Northwestern University’s...

Trustees, Governance, Alumni and Donors, Accountability

Disrupting the Boardroom? A Plea for Engaged Trusteeship in Turbulent Times

March 17, 2017 by Ted Eismeier |

Should college trustees be more than just wealthy donors? According to two experts, the answer is a no-brainer. University Ventures Co-Founder and Managing Director Ryan Craig and Willamette University...

Policymakers, Accreditation, Accountability

ACTA Congratulates Rep. Virginia Foxx

December 12, 2016 by Christine Ravold |

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) congratulates Representative Virginia Foxx on being named chair of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

ACTA previously worked with...

Trustees, Cutting Costs, Accountability

Quick Take: Hidden College Fees, Hidden College Bloat

December 1, 2016 by Armand Alacbay & Dani Jack |

In “Those Hidden College Fees,” Rochelle Sharpe correctly observes that the underlying reasons for the rising costs of college are not immediately clear to students and families, since institutions can...

Accountability, Academic Excellence

Quick Takes: Failing Humanities Programs Have Themselves to Blame

October 11, 2016 by Michael Poliakoff |

If students who major in humanities disciplines tend to have good job prospects (“When parents won’t let their kids study literature” August 4), why are do many parents object to majors in English,...

Cutting Costs, Accountability

Quick Take: First Improve University Management

September 27, 2016 by Michael Poliakoff |

In Charles Pruitt’s “Partisan politics is undermining the ‘Public Ivies,’” he blames declining state funding for the cycle of rising tuition and diminished resources afflicting state flagship...

Cutting Costs, Accountability

Intern Blog: To Stop Rising Tuition Costs, Look to the Data

August 16, 2016 by Emily Reynolds |

It is no secret that the price of a bachelor’s degree has been rapidly rising, creating great strain for college students and their families. According to the Trends in College Pricing 2015 report...

What Will They Learn, Accountability, Academic Freedom, Academic Excellence

Intern Blog: Misdirected Demand for Transparency Imperils Religious Liberty in Education

August 4, 2016 by Margaret Youngblood |

Under newly proposed modifications to SB 1146, which have passed the state Senate and are under consideration by the state Assembly, California courts would be able to force religious schools to adopt...

Accreditation, Accountability

Accreditation Dysfunction

July 13, 2016 by Armand B. Alacbay |

The accreditation system is broken, and its inequities are glaring.

If nothing else, that was the lesson to be learned late in June at the meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional...