Message from the Chair: Senator Dave Nething, North Dakota
Once upon a time, higher education lived in an ivory tower where the head of the family (called the president) was totally in charge. None of the other family members really had much to say (unless they were asked), nor could they speak to anyone from the "outside" without permission (which was not easy to receive). The goal of the institution was to provide a "higher education” to students via a curriculum created by well-intended academicians without much regard for how such an education would impact the economic well being of those receiving it. It was a system which worked well in the past (some might say for centuries) – so why make any changes?
To many people, this description of higher education was a reality – but not today. If it were, we would be failing our students, their parents, and all the other stakeholders who depend on higher education to provide the workforce our nation requires to compete in a global economy. And we are not failing them – but we need to continue to improve.
Today’s institutions need to have strong linkages to each of their stakeholders. They must reach out not only to students and parents but also to legislators (even though it is believed they do not provide enough money), the executive branch (which never recommends enough funding in their proposed budget), higher education governing boards (who never lobby hard enough to secure extra dollars), employers (who always want the outstanding graduate), and, would you believe it, taxpayers (who foot a good portion of the bill). Without the support of these constituents, as well as the faculty who deliver the end product, our higher education system would be unacceptable, especially in terms of its ability to support our country in a global economy.
WICHE is very cognizant of the need to create these linkages and stands ready to help wherever it can. Our work over the last year has taken many forms, from providing assistance with policy strategies to acting as a resource for research, information, and expert assistance to offering seed funding for projects in several areas. Our goal has been – and remains – to help our member states and their institutions successfully address the needs of higher education’s many and varied stakeholders.