NAICU - News Room

Even though the 2012 NAICU Annual Meeting is history, you can continue to benefit and learn from the many presentations and speeches that were offered, and are now available on line.

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Access to College

Education Gap Grows Between Rich and Poor, Studies Say

New York Times

February 10, 2012

Education was historically considered a great equalizer in American society, capable of lifting less advantaged children and improving their chances for success as adults. But a body of recently published scholarship suggests that the achievement gap between rich and poor children is widening, a development that threatens to dilute education’s leveling effects.

A $1 Billion ‘Model’ Employee Education Program

New York Times

January 31, 2012

On Tuesday afternoon, the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities gave its annual award for promoting higher education to United Technologies. This is the first time the association's award has been given to a company. David L. Warren, president of the independent colleges association, said the United Technologies program was the most generous it had seen. "We think it's a model for the nation, one that hopefully other corporations might follow," said Mr. Warren, the former president of Ohio Wesleyan University.

The Critical Connection Between Higher Education and the American Dream

Huffington Post - Opinion Piece

January 19, 2012

As the head of the nation's largest private foundation focused on increasing the number of college graduates, I can tell you that America's economic future hinges on getting tuition under control and significantly increasing the number of citizens with postsecondary degrees. That's the message that we've shared recently with President Obama and in testimony before members of Congress. But, the solution involves all of us. Here's why.

Admission impossible: Preferential option for the poor at Catholic colleges

U.S. Catholic

January 12, 2012

Although Catholic colleges and universities admit underprivileged students, most of the poor - both in the United States and globally - remain excluded from the halls of our institutions. Most of our students come from affluent backgrounds. Many Catholic universities fail to sufficiently embody Catholic social teaching's option for the poor in our recruiting, admissions, and retention policies.

US: Funding cuts, tuition hikes likely to define 2012

University World News, U.K.

January 8, 2012

Last year saw some of the starkest cuts in funding at state universities and colleges across the country. Nearly 40 states cut funding to higher education. Some, like New Hampshire and California, slashed their higher education budgets by nearly 50%. The steep tuition hikes and the fate of the Pell Grant highlights the changing demographics of the college population. As funding continues to be cut and tuition continues to increase, college may soon be accessible to only the wealthy and privileged.

Pine Manor College, a school for low-income students, is low on income, too

Boston Globe

December 23, 2011

Fifteen years ago, as enrollment at many women's schools dwindled, Pine Manor College assumed a new identity: It focused on low-income women who showed perseverance, if not perfect grades. The move transformed Pine Manor into one of the nation's most ethnically diverse small colleges and brought in many students who went on to promising careers in law, business, and health. It earned press and praise. What it didn't earn was money. While focusing on poor students, Pine Manor itself became poor. And it is getting poorer. Now, at 100 years old, it faces a second identity crisis: Can it maintain the commitment to low-income students and survive?

Funding Students, Threatening Liberal Education

Inside Higher Ed - Opinion Piece

December 20, 2011

Last year, as Washington State faced a severe budget crisis, legislators embraced a novel way to fund student financial aid: a public-private partnership between the state and private corporations. Called the Opportunity Scholarship Fund, the fund attracts private donations and matches them with public money in order to support students in science, technology, and other "high demand" fields.

Three-year bachelor's degree has merits

USA Today - Editorial

December 15, 2011

With college costs and student loan debt continuing to soar in the United States, here's an idea from our neighbor to the north: Allow students to get a bachelor's degree in three years, the way many Canadians do, instead of four.

Opposing view: Three-year degree is not a solution

USA Today

December 14, 2011

The three-year bachelor's degree has been hailed by some as the solution to cutting college costs, allowing students to graduate and enter the job market sooner. It has one fundamental flaw, however, in that it benefits only those students who have the highest academic aptitude and the financial means to attend college full-time, year-around, for three years.

Expand the Conversation

Inside Higher Ed - Opinion Piece

December 6, 2011

The thousands of small to medium public and private comprehensive universities and community colleges that exist throughout the U.S. are where the rubber hits the road for the majority of collegiate students in our nation. We represent a sector that educates the vast majority of our nation's college students, yet only a handful of the invitees for the event at the White House reflect our open-access mission. We deserved additional seats at the table.

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