The Need for New Approaches to Finance

NO one knows the extent to which higher education will be transformed by information technology, or the exact ways in which institutions and state systems will change. But change is coming, and states need to be ready. All those with an interest in supporting the vitality of public higher education would do well to consider the need for new funding approaches and systems. Few continue to doubt that information technology will fundamentally transform the structure and delivery of higher education. Without change, state higher education funding structures could undermine the ability of public higher education institutions to respond and adapt to the new environment resulting from the revolution in information technology. With the right kind of changes, however, state financing strategies can foster and support the revitalization of public higher education systems.