Independent Higher Education in the West: Building Access Capacity -- Introduction

April 1998 Independent Higher Education in the West: Building Access Capacity *Introduction* In many states, independent institutions provide high quality educational services. Some of these institutions have become central players in a comprehensive, statewide system of postsecondary education which supports state goals of access, choice, and diversity. Examples of how states across the nation benefit from the independent sector are highlighted in this Policy Insights issue, which also builds on two earlier WICHE studies. Policy tools such as technology, financial aid, partnerships, and articulation agreements are explored along with implications for policymakers. ISSUES relating to the role of independent institutions have been discussed by states for decades. WICHE conducted two studies that stressed the major role independent institutions play in achieving state goals.1,2 Issues regarding independent institutions continue to receive attention with enrollments in many western states soaring and projections showing a continuing increase in the number of high school graduates.3 Anticipated growth in the available college-going population coupled with increases in state financial pressures require many states to rethink how they will meet these escalating demands without sacrificing quality. Obvious responses to creating more capacity for future demand include better utilization of regional capacity and creating incentives for public institutions to do more. Doing more might mean encouraging extended day/night use of classroom spaces; extending the instructional calendar to include classes on weekends and offering fewer in-between-term breaks; increasing the teaching loads of existing faculty; and requiring larger class sizes. Though common, quick suggestions for tackling the issues of increased demand, they each come with critical, possibly irreversible consequences. What may be more efficient in the long run is for states to consider additional alternatives which utilize existing capacity. For example, in most cases, existing, high quality postsecondary opportunities are available at independent institutions which can absorb additional enrollments. This alternative would require minimal additional investments by the state and would help relieve an already overcrowded public postsecondary educational system in many states.
Current State Policy	State Benefits from Independent Higher Education	Status of the States	Implications for Policymakers	Conclusions
1. Jonsen, R. (1978). State Policies and Programmatic Implementation. Paper presented at a seminar for state leaders in postsecondary education. Orlando, Florida, November. 2. Jonsen, R. (1980). State Policy Issues Affecting Independent Higher Education. Washington, DC: National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities. 3. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. (1998) Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity, 1996-2012 This issue of Policy Insights was prepared by Cheryl D. Lovell, Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Denver. WICHE gratefully acknowledges assistance from staff in state higher education executive offices and state associations of independent colleges and universities who provided information for this report. Policy Insights is a series designed as a companion publication for WICHE's recently published fact book, Policy Indicators for Higher Education: WICHE States. Drawing on the indicators contained in the fact book and information from other sources, Policy Insights examines current issues in higher education from the perspective of policymakers at the state level and on the campus. Paper copies of any Policy Insights can be ordered electronically though the WICHE Publications Order Form . There is no charge for paper copies of Policy Insights.

April 1998

Independent Higher Education in the West: Building Access Capacity

Introduction

In many states, independent institutions provide high quality educational services. Some of these institutions have become central players in a comprehensive, statewide system of postsecondary education which supports state goals of access, choice, and diversity. Examples of how states across the nation benefit from the independent sector are highlighted in this Policy Insights issue, which also builds on two earlier WICHE studies. Policy tools such as technology, financial aid, partnerships, and articulation agreements are explored along with implications for policymakers.

ISSUES relating to the role of independent institutions have been discussed by states for decades. WICHE conducted two studies that stressed the major role independent institutions play in achieving state goals.1,2 Issues regarding independent institutions continue to receive attention with enrollments in many western states soaring and projections showing a continuing increase in the number of high school graduates.3 Anticipated growth in the available college-going population coupled with increases in state financial pressures require many states to rethink how they will meet these escalating demands without sacrificing quality.

Obvious responses to creating more capacity for future demand include better utilization of regional capacity and creating incentives for public institutions to do more. Doing more might mean encouraging extended day/night use of classroom spaces; extending the instructional calendar to include classes on weekends and offering fewer in-between-term breaks; increasing the teaching loads of existing faculty; and requiring larger class sizes. Though common, quick suggestions for tackling the issues of increased demand, they each come with critical, possibly irreversible consequences.

What may be more efficient in the long run is for states to consider additional alternatives which utilize existing capacity. For example, in most cases, existing, high quality postsecondary opportunities are available at independent institutions which can absorb additional enrollments. This alternative would require minimal additional investments by the state and would help relieve an already overcrowded public postsecondary educational system in many states.

Current State Policy

State Benefits from Independent Higher Education

Status of the States

Implications for Policymakers

Conclusions

1. Jonsen, R. (1978). State Policies and Programmatic Implementation. Paper presented at a seminar for state leaders in postsecondary education. Orlando, Florida, November.

2. Jonsen, R. (1980). State Policy Issues Affecting Independent Higher Education. Washington, DC: National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities.

3. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. (1998) Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race/Ethnicity, 1996-2012

This issue of Policy Insights was prepared by Cheryl D. Lovell, Assistant Professor of Education at the University of Denver. WICHE gratefully acknowledges assistance from staff in state higher education executive offices and state associations of independent colleges and universities who provided information for this report.

Policy Insights is a series designed as a companion publication for WICHE's recently published fact book, Policy Indicators for Higher Education: WICHE States. Drawing on the indicators contained in the fact book and information from other sources, Policy Insights examines current issues in higher education from the perspective of policymakers at the state level and on the campus. Paper copies of any Policy Insights can be ordered electronically though the WICHE Publications Order Form . There is no charge for paper copies of Policy Insights.