President's Page - September 9, 2019

Fifth Blog Entry – Future Implications

As I shared in the third blog entry, I have been contacted by two readers who requested additional information pertaining to enrollment restrictions. An article that came to my attention this past December, provides insight into a number of restricting factors. 

You may doubt Author Michael Horn’s 50% higher education closure prediction, but a number of his claims defending his predication have merit:

  1. Traditional business models are not based on current realities;
  2. Changing demographics have intensified market competition and cannot support fixed costs;
  3. Online learning enrolls over 20% of all US students and this number continues to grow; and
  4. factors are more apt to adversely impact rural based entities in the US northeast and midwest where enrollments are historically low.

Incidentally, last week another report was posted and the same author of the above research was cited in this second article. Interesting to note that Horn modified his prediction to a 25% closure.

The information presented is not intended to alarm or cast doubt on the future well-being of this College. As referenced in my 3rd blog entry, Barton’s best position is to maintain factors that have served the college well over the past decades:

  1. Address the College Mission through a culture of service
  2. Meet customer needs
  3. Do not be limited by service to only our seven legislated counties
  4. Utilize technology in supporting student learning
  5. Maintain eye appealing physical facilities