Public University Presidents Living High on the Hog?

The Chronicle of Higher Education released a report on compensation figures for public university presidents across the U.S. today. Many will balk at the total compensation packages afforded the top dog – especially in light of all the mandatory cuts scheduled at these very same universities. Compensation includes salary, bonuses, retirement, housing, car, expense accounts and even club dues.

Some of the most compensated include:
• President Gordon Gee – Ohio State University – $1,576,825
• President Mark Emmert – University of Washington – $905,004
• President John Casteen – University of Virginia – $797,048
• President Elson Floyd – Washington State University – $648,000
• President Mark Yudof – University of California system – $600,000
• President Jack Wilson – University of Massachusetts system – $546,000

While packages continue to grow at many universities, some presidents are bucking the trends and refusing bonuses in an effort to help their universities during tough economic times. While not expected, it certainly is a nice trend to see.

Some that are giving back include:
• President Gordon Gee – Ohio State – while highly compensated, he did refuse his $320,850 bonus this year
• President James Ramsey – University of Louisville – turned down a$314,858 bonus
• President Gordon Forsee – University of Missouri system – refused $100,000 bonus for the past two years
• President Lee Todd – University of Kentucky – turned down a 168,000 bonus

2010 Applications Hitting Record Highs

The news is pouring in and one thing is clear – applications are up at colleges across the country this year. Despite major budget cuts, applications soared to record highs at public universities across the nation. The California State University system received more than 266,000 applications this past fall, which represents a 53% increase from last year. Transfer applicants were up 127% and all this despite an anticipated $564 million budget cut. Wow.

Harvard has announced that their applications are up 5%, totaling more than 30,000, which represents a record breaking number for the college. The University of Virginia also has hit a university high with over 22,000 applications. According to a January 22nd article in BusinessWeek, many are speculating that numbers are up at these most competitive universities as there is a perceived notion that gaining admission here will lead to a better job in four years. Many of these universities are also very committed to financial aid, which continues to be an amazing draw for students.

While the trend continues upward at so many, Yale is bucking the trend, especially within the Ivy League, with a decrease in applications this year. But only by 200 applications – is that enough to fret over?

Other high notes:
University of Hawaii at Manoa +25%
University of Chicago +42% (double the amount from 2006)
Dartmouth College +4%
University of California system +2.4% (but +17% for transfers)
San Diego State University +10% (61,000 applications!)

Updated January 24th

Stanford University +5% (over 32,000 applications – a university record)
Johns Hopkins University +13%
University of Richmond +9%
Cornell University +5%
MIT +6%
Washington and Lee University +6%
George Washington University +3%
Princeton +19%
University of Pennsylvania +17%
Brown University +20%
Duke University +12%
Northwestern University +9%

The Value of Public Universities

In a time when the economy is pushing students to run to state universities for the perceived bargin tuition, there are some things to consider before signing the check.

As mentioned in a previous post, the economy has hit public universities in many ways, from budget cuts to reduction in staffing. Universities continue to eliminate academic departments with low numbers – just recently Michigan State University recommended cutting the Classics Department. Athletic programs are being cut too, including heavy hitters like football. Recently Northeastern University, Western Washington University and Hofstra University in Long Island have cut their football programs, effective immediately. Professors are being shown no mercy either – this year the University of Washington will lay off 600 faculty members and administrative staff. At the same time, they will raise tuition by 14% and reduce student enrollment by 15%. They lead the nation in budget cuts at 26%.

What does that mean to you – the student? For starters, you better do your homework to ensure that the university of your choice will still offer your major the following year. You should read up on athletics if you plan to play, or seek a college with that “rah-rah” football spirit. And finally, you should think about how the cuts will affect your academic experience in the classroom – will it mean more students and less professor interaction? You decide.

If you do decide that a public university is the best value for you, Kiplinger released its 2009-2010 guide to the Best Values in Public Colleges. There are no surprises with The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia rounding out the top of the list. Western Washington University is ranked 54th and University of Washington is ranked 7th.

Hey Mom and Dad – Now What?

This is an exciting time of the year for seniors. Some have received acceptances under the early action and decision plans, while others have all their applications done and are sitting pretty…waiting until the fat envelopes arrive in April. Generally, students feel satisfied and accomplished – they feel it is out of their hands now and focus on the here and now of school and friends.

Meanwhile, mom and dad have been very focused on prodding their student to get the work done, and may experience a slight let down emotionally at this time of the year, realizing that the end is near and that their child is about to head off to college. In yesterday’s New York Times “The Choice” Blog, Martha Merrill, Dean of Admissions at Connecticut College offers some simple yet practical advice for parents as they approach the near future. She discusses ways in which parents can prepare themselves, as well as their children, for potentially disappointing news from colleges as well as tips on best practices during these spring months. Whether this is your first child heading off to college or your last, she offers some sage advice worth reviewing.

Reasons Seniors Should be Happy Right Now

Nancy Griesemer of College Explorations in Fairfax County, Virginia recently posted this wonderful and frankly hilarious post on her blog. I don’t think I could say it any better and with her permission, here it is.

Fifteen Reasons College-Bound Students Should Give Thanks
At year’s end, it’s traditional to give thanks for all the many blessings received during the previous twelve months and to look forward to the coming year with a renewed sense of optimism. The following are fifteen reasons college-bound students should be giving thanks this year:

15. Fewer Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings
14. College tour guides who mastered the art of walking backwards
13. 830 “test optional” colleges and universities
12. College information sessions lasting no more than 30 minutes
11. Rolling admissions
10. The ability to substitute ACT scores for SAT’s
9. Free on-campus visitor parking
8. The demise of SAT antonym questions—this happened in 1994 but you still should be thankful
7. 391 colleges and universities using the Common Application
6. Merit scholarships
5. Applications without essay supplements
4. Online application fee waivers
3. Colleges not requiring SAT Subject Tests
2. Teachers and guidance counselors still willing to write recommendations

And most important of all:
1. Family and friends who support and love you!

Best wishes for a healthy and happy New Year!

Hey Seniors – Time to Give Thanks

Hey seniors, with application deadlines behind you, it is that time of year to give thanks. I think that many seniors are so relieved that “all of that” is behind them that they neglect to consider all those that gave support to them along the way. Now is the time to pull out a note card and write a little note to those that made it happen.

Consider the following –
- Your guidance counselor – although you may not be best buds, your counselor did write a letter of recommendation for you and made sure to get your transcript out to the colleges in a timely manner.
- Your teachers – they have personal lives too, but they made time for you during the busy holiday season to write wonderful letters for you which were full of praise. Now is the time to return the favor.
- You coach – if they were an integral part of your athletic recruitment, be sure to say how much you appreciated their help.
- Your friends – whether one of them wrote a peer recommendation for you, or if they supported you when you were frustrated with the mounds of essays you had to conquer, let them know you are happy they are your friends.
- Your parents – they may be the most overlooked when giving out thanks, but they put up with you while you were indecisive, while you dragged your feet, paid oodles of application fees and most all – gave you loving support as you navigated this wonderful process.