Higher Ed's Chase After Money: I Put My Alma Mater on The Do Not Contact List

 If the university were a close friend, you would start ducking it. That's because it doesn't stop putting the muscle on everyone, not just alumni and the wealthy, for money. My mother, a cleaning lady residing in a bad part of pre-gentrified Jersey City, New Jersey, would receive pleas for donations. As an adult, I put my alma mater on the do not contact list. I warned about legal action if any communications got through.

That chase after money, as The New York Times documents, has gotten higher education's leaders, at all levels from president to professors to administrators in a dental school, in trouble. Emails disclose they sucked up to Jeffrey Epstein. That gush might have been authentic, that is an assumption they were buddies, or what the job requires, that is gladhanding with deep pockets.

The elephant in the room is this: Why can't higher education become cost-efficient like public companies. It's heavy with administrative manpower. Provides money-losing programs. Keeps adding buildings. And should eliminate old-line policies such as tenure. Who knows if that 35-year-old instructor will be productive in 20 more years?

Rasing money? Like Wall Street, think investing. Like American business think profit centers. Like AI, focus on startups which attracts venture capital.

But maybe all this outrage about the how of fundraising and the lack of solid financial management is mere prelude to the collapse of this institution. With some exceptions such as the Ivy research ones, universities could simply shutter. ChatGPT informs me that my alma mater has experienced an enrollment decline of almost 20% during the last decade. Almost 50 have already closed. Use those buildings for affordable shelter, nursing homes and animal rescue facilities. 

In coaching I frequently guide unemployed/underemployed clients to evaluate what academic degrees to leave off their job search materials. Anything beyond the BA/BS could signal the wrong messages about their expectations for compensation and treatment on the job.

Success is a mental game. Failure comes from being done in by the “committee” in your head.

Together, we liberate your thinking. Then we change your story. And, unleash success. Meanwhile, we focus on bringing in income. That puts you in a position of strength.

Intuitive Coaching. Special expertise with transitions, becoming a solopreneur and aging. Psychic/tarot readings, upon request. Complimentary consultation with Jane Genova (Text 203-468-8579, janegenova374@gmail.com). Yes, test out the chemistry. Zero risk.

Don’t give up before the miracle.

 

 

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