February 13, 2004

To Keep America Competitive, States and Colleges Must Work Together

By KRISTIN CONKLIN and TRAVIS REINDL

Whether you call it a "double whammy," "perfect storm," or "tipping point," public higher education has reached a crossroads, and new, more strategic ways to support universities are required if they are to meet state priorities. The demands are soaring while state appropriations are shrinking, and it will take much more than an improved economy to close the gap between institutional needs and available resources. States and public higher-education institutions must do business differently to