The Academic The Academic Dimension: Dimension:

Geoscience Workforce Geoscience Workforce CrisisCrisis

P. Geoffrey Feiss, ProvostP. Geoffrey Feiss, ProvostCollege of William and MaryCollege of William and Mary2008 GSA Annual Meeting 2008 GSA Annual Meeting

Session 121-5Session 121-5

22008 GSA 121-6

QuestionsQuestions Can universities effectively respond Can universities effectively respond

to industry/society needs? to industry/society needs? How do universities determine their How do universities determine their

priorities?priorities? How might the geoscience How might the geoscience

community impact this process? community impact this process?

32008 GSA 121-6

Essential Points to MakeEssential Points to Make Higher Education (HE) is a Higher Education (HE) is a

BUSINESSBUSINESS The landscape of HE in America is The landscape of HE in America is

complexcomplex Priority setting in HE is highly Priority setting in HE is highly

contested groundcontested ground Critical to know who sets priorities Critical to know who sets priorities

and how priorities are determinedand how priorities are determined

42008 GSA 121-6

HE Is a Big BusinessHE Is a Big Business Public & private, 2- and 4-year Public & private, 2- and 4-year

institutions of HE spend about $350B/ainstitutions of HE spend about $350B/a The HE market is one of the most The HE market is one of the most

competitive open markets in Americacompetitive open markets in America Contrary to rumor, we balance our Contrary to rumor, we balance our

books at the end of each FYbooks at the end of each FY Our “products” are highly sought afterOur “products” are highly sought after

52008 GSA 121-6

What is the business of What is the business of HE?HE?

To Produce Human and To Produce Human and Intellectual CapitalIntellectual Capital

62008 GSA 121-6

Number of HE institutions Number of HE institutions byCarnegie classificationbyCarnegie classification

Associate's, 1814

Research, 282Master's, 664

Baccalaureate, 767

Special-focus, 864

72008 GSA 121-6

Enrollment in 4-year Enrollment in 4-year institutions of HE by institutions of HE by

Carnegie classificationCarnegie classification

Research, 4,907,275

Masters, 3,902,157

Baccalaureate, 1,391,110

82008 GSA 121-6

Competition for HE Competition for HE resources --resources --

at the Public Policy Level:at the Public Policy Level: Public health Public health War on Terror/security/public safetyWar on Terror/security/public safety Sustainability, energy, & the Sustainability, energy, & the

environmentenvironment preK-12 (-14) educationpreK-12 (-14) education Globalization/immigration/tradeGlobalization/immigration/trade Community & economic developmentCommunity & economic development Societal infrastructureSocietal infrastructure

92008 GSA 121-6

Competition for campus Competition for campus resources --resources --

at the 1000’ Level:at the 1000’ Level: New areas of inquiry New areas of inquiry

e.g. neuroscience, e.g. neuroscience, Latino studies, proton Latino studies, proton physics, computational physics, computational biology, health care biology, health care policypolicy

Deferred maintenanceDeferred maintenance Declining student aid Declining student aid

& increasing tuition& increasing tuition Declining IDC (F&A)Declining IDC (F&A) Study away Study away

Community-based Community-based learning and learning and researchresearch

InfrastructureInfrastructure Faculty/staff Faculty/staff

compensationcompensation Campus securityCampus security Risk managementRisk management Private fund-raisingPrivate fund-raising Bread & circuses for Bread & circuses for

students and alumnistudents and alumni

102008 GSA 121-6

Generic issues Generic issues de jourde jour in in much of HEmuch of HE

RetentionRetention Graduation ratesGraduation rates Student demographicsStudent demographics Transportability of creditsTransportability of credits Off-site educationOff-site education Outcomes assessment & accountabilityOutcomes assessment & accountability The rise of the for-profit sector in HEThe rise of the for-profit sector in HE

112008 GSA 121-6

HE Decision-MakersHE Decision-Makers Governing boardsGoverning boards PresidentsPresidents CAOs and deansCAOs and deans Major donorsMajor donors AlumniAlumni Athletic supportersAthletic supporters

122008 GSA 121-6

Others in the MixOthers in the Mix FacultyFaculty Parents & studentsParents & students The governor and legislators, system The governor and legislators, system

actors, bureaucrats and other actors, bureaucrats and other apparatchiks of varying types (in the apparatchiks of varying types (in the public realm)public realm)

FedsFeds HE accrediting agenciesHE accrediting agencies

132008 GSA 121-6

What motivates HE What motivates HE Decision-Makers?Decision-Makers?

Politics, fear, greed, & lust for powerPolitics, fear, greed, & lust for powerAlso,Also, Concern for societal needsConcern for societal needs Love of learningLove of learning Deep & abiding memories of times Deep & abiding memories of times

pastpast Genuine excitement at new, Genuine excitement at new,

entrepreneurial possibilitiesentrepreneurial possibilities

142008 GSA 121-6

What can move Geoscience What can move Geoscience to the List of Institutional to the List of Institutional

Priorities?Priorities? Appropriateness to missionAppropriateness to mission Enhancing institutional prestigeEnhancing institutional prestige Intellectually validIntellectually valid SustainableSustainable Strong championsStrong champions Broad support within key Broad support within key

constituenciesconstituencies Demonstrable ROIDemonstrable ROI Jobs for graduatesJobs for graduates

152008 GSA 121-6

From outside HE, what From outside HE, what should you do?should you do?

SelectSelect IdentifyIdentify ConnectConnect Listen & learnListen & learn ProvideProvide PersistPersist