The Kept-Up Academic Librarian

More B-Schools Choosing Women As Their Deans

Business school may still be a man's world, but institutions are looking to shake things up by placing female talent at the helm. Eager to achieve—or at least approach—gender parity in their administrative ranks, many schools are "acting affirmatively" by picking women over similarly qualified men to fill deanship slots. The dearth of women in deanships isn't unlike the current picture of women in chief executive roles—though, to be sure, it isn't quite as bleak. Read more at:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444130304577558962875402588.html

Administrative Costs Rising Faster Than Academic Costs In Higher Education

It’s become almost a cliche: Whenever “overspending” is criticized, the ultimate culprit often is said to be “administrative overhead.”But for higher education, this is more than a cliche. According to a report from the American Council of College Trustees and Alumni, administrative spending rose at 14 of Virginia’s 15 public four-year institutions for the six years prior to the 2008-2009 academic year. The average increase in spending for adminstration: 65 percent. At 11 of those schools — including the University of Virginia — administrative spending rose at higher rate than academic spending. Read more at:
http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2012/aug/16/cost-control-higher-ed-seems-lost-ar-2135766/#

Brainstorming Best Ways To Leverage Technology For Higher Education

 The president of the flagship university has also given thought to whether universities should allow students to earn mini-certificates in specific areas, tailoring their education for particular fields of employment. All of these now-hypothetical ideas could gain more traction when Benson -- with the help of his academic affairs chief and campus chancellors -- convenes a task force to brainstorm ways that CU can leverage technology to be more efficient. One increasingly popular way that many prestigious universities are taking advantage of technology is to offer lectures and educational content online for free. Read more at:
http://www.dailycamera.com/cu-news/ci_21181856/task-force-brainstorm-ways-cu-can-leverage-technology

Outsourcing As A Cost Savings Strategy Is Controversial In Higher Education

When the Texas A&M University System announced that its flagship would gain $260 million in new revenue and savings in the next 10 years by outsourcing its building maintenance, landscaping and dining services, Chancellor John Sharp said the plan was an unprecedented way to raise money in financially struggling higher education. But excitement over the plan is not universal. Many people on campus and in the surrounding community are worried and angry. A&M staff members who perform the support services have expressed concern over their future employment. Read more at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/27/us/outsourcing-plan-stirs-fears-among-texas-am-workers.html?_r=1

University Says Quarter-Million Dollar Presidential Search Was Bargain

Once the bills for consultants, meals, meetings and other expenses were added up, the price tag for Rutgers University’s latest presidential search came in at $226,532, campus officials said. Campus officials said the cost of the search was a relative bargain compared with Rutgers’ last presidential search a decade ago, which cost nearly $50,000 more. But the university still spent lavishly to wine and dine prospective candidates. Read more at:
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/price_tage_for_rutgers_6-month.html

What Must Penn State Do To Rebuild Its Image

Despite the report's revelations, public relations professionals and industry observers say its release was a necessary step as the university tries to regain public trust. In the wake of Freeh's report, Penn State's trustees said they accept full responsibility for their failures in oversight. What further steps can Penn State take to repair its tarnished image? Here are some ideas from crisis management experts, image consultants and other observers. Read more at:
http://www.boston.com/news/education/articles/2012/07/14/how_penn_state_can_repair_its_image/

President's Mea Culpa For Drunken Incident Includes Donation For Alcohol Awareness

After effectively being told to stop drinking or be fired, Eastern Michigan University President Sue Martin said Wednesday she will donate her raise for this year to create an alcohol awareness fund at the college. During an interview with WJR-AM (760) host Paul W. Smith, Martin admitted she made a mistake when she lost her temper with an alumnus at an April event in Washington, D.C. Martin told the radio station she is working with the regents and will take the advice they offer, including going to counseling at some point. Read more at: 
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120711/METRO/207110418#ixzz20Piu1GBX

Why Would Anyone Want To Be A College President

Helicopter parents, impatient trustees, overworked professors, entitled athletics boosters and deeply partisan lawmakers with little cash to spare. It's enough to make people wonder why anyone would want the job of college president. Sure, the pay is pretty good, and the perks sizable, from free housing and a company car to travel budgets. But when it comes to running the 21st century American university, the men and women in the president's office are increasingly on high alert that their stays at the top could prove short. Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/05/big-rewards-less-job-secu_n_1650604.html

Being The College President Pays Well But The Risks Are High

Trachtenberg, now a higher education consultant with Korn/Ferry International, said the job of university leader remains an attractive one, despite the higher stakes and declining job security. The average public university president earned $421,395 in salary and other compensation in 2010-11, according to an annual survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education. Trachtenberg, whose forthcoming book examines failed university presidencies, compares the job of running a campus to the work of hapless Russian sleigh drivers trying to keep the wolves at bay while crossing Siberia. Read more at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/higher-education/ouster-return-of-university-of-virginia-president-puts-college-leaders-on-notice/2012/07/05/gJQApgrmOW_story_1.html

Daniels Aims To Do For Purdue What He Did For Indiana

As Republican governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels has been an efficiency maven, and his scalpel has gone after higher education along with everything else. He has also introduced price competition by welcoming Western Governors University Indiana, a low-cost online college that, among other heresies, gives credit for experience. The announcement that Daniels will become president of Purdue University led to speculation that he is eager to make a mark in the roiling universe of higher education. Read more at:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20120701/EDIT05/307019970/1021/EDIT