Then: In 2008, while Bush was still in office, Congress "overwhelmingly approved an overhaul of the nation's higher education law". The bill was designed to help keep college costs affordable and more transparent. This New York Times article reviews the intent of this bill as it was originally designed back in August of 2008.

Now: As of July 1st, 2009, and under the new Obama Administration, changes to student aid as proposed through the Higher Education Act were passed and set into motion. To read the details of these changes as posted by NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) website, click here.

Then: In 2007 the New York Times was reporting on the looming crisis of college debt as a function of private loans for students. This article discusses the private college loan business as the "wild west" of lending, and takes a look at how the Federal Education Department proposes to crack down on this problem.

Now: In December 2009, Lauren Asher, the President for the Institute for College Access & Success, wrote a statement applauding the House of Representatives for their recent vote to rein in the private student loan industry and bring greater protection to students. To read more on Ms. Asher's views of and comments on this event, click here.

Then: Based on Mike Easley's support (then Mayor of North Carolina) of the enrollment of undocumented immigrants in 1997, a lawyer representing the NC Community College System ordered NC colleges to allow their admission. At that point in time some colleges were already doing so, others were not. However, in May of 2008, a very public debate about the issue resulted in the NC Community College System adopting a federal ban uniformly disallowing the admission of students considered to be illegally present within the country. This article describes the roller coaster nature of this issue in NC as well as the impact it had on potential undocumented students.

Now: Just this past fall of 2009, the State Board of NC Community Colleges voted to allow the enrollment of undocumented immigrant students. This article takes a look at the nature of the issue, as well as what this change in policy will really mean for community colleges as well as for the undocumented student. To read more click here.

Then: Back in 2004 Richard Hesel, of the Art & Science Group, wrote an article about how the “campus visit drives college choice”.  The article speaks to the importance of the campus visit as it gives the institution an opportunity to sway the student with things such as hospitality, faculty, classroom experiences, etc. To read more about why Hesel considers the campus visit to be so important, click here.

Now: In 2009 there is still much talk about the impact a campus visit can have on a student’s college choice. This article article by Eric Sickler takes a closer look at what factors students today report as the having had the greatest sway over their decision about which college to pick. Sickler highlights how factors may be weighed differently by different types of prospective students.

Then: The phenomenon of over-involved parents has been around for a long time…..however the phrase “helicopter parent” was first coined in 1990 by Foster W. Cline, M.D. and Jim Fay in their book Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility. Conversations about helicopter parents have not evolved much over the years. In this 2005 ABC News article the question of whether or not such parents are doing more harm than good for their children is discussed.

Now: Over time the nature of this issue has not changed except for the increase in number of Moms and Dads being labeled as helicopter parents. In 2008 Judy Fortin of CNN wrote an article that takes a look at this issue from the point of view of college administrators and their preference for these well-meaning parents to “step back”.  In 2009 Nancy Gibbs of Time Magazine looks at the increase in backlash against helicopter parents whose over-involvement may now be following children from college to the workplace.  To read more on Gibb’s perspective, click here.

Then and Now: This one article offers an historical look at college dorms.  Click here to scan through a series of pictures and commentaries that reflect how dorms have evolved from being all about “student seclusion” earlier in the century to being more about socializing, luxury, and recreation in the present.

Then and Now:  While the three examples of recruitment and technology below were created a few years ago, it is has been difficult to locate anything new to rival them.  Consequently, three great examples are provided below of how different institutions capitalized on technology to enhance their ability to recruit with the use of technology:

• Kettering University’s School Daze.
• Lawrence University’s Electronic Version of a Viewbook
• Chattanooga State's "Joe" Program

Then:  According to EDUCAUSE in 2000, the top 10 challenges in IT for higher education included such things as funding, staff/faculty training, developing distance learning opportunities, and staffing of IT Departments.  Some of these challenges still exist today, others have seen progress. To read these top 10 challenges, click here.

Now:  While some of these challenges still exist, the buzz around technology in higher education today seems to have more to do with how to introduce and sustain different forms of technology in the classroom as it relates to student learning.  This article by EDUCAUSE reviews the top 5 challenges facing institutions of higher education where teaching and learning are concerned. As well, below are some links that highlights some of the strategies that are being employed to enhance technology in the contemporary classroom:

• Using Google Voice and Cell Phones
• "Froom" or Forever in the Classroom
• How to Design Effective Learning Spaces

Then: Traditionally the role of a Board of Trustees in higher education has been viewed as one of good stewardship with key responsibilities such as policy development, hiring and evaluation of the President, always keeping an eye on the big picture, budgets, and strategic planning. This 2004 article by Phyllis M. Krutsch discusses these and other key functions of the Board.

Now: While the role of the Board has not changed radically from what Krutsch describes in the article above, the state of the economy in conjunction with the changing nature of higher education does call for Boards today to be more entrepreneurial, more business-like in their thinking, bolder in their envisioning, and with a “Warren Buffet” approach of “seeking value and investing for the long term”. To read more about this idea click here.

Then:  According to a study conducted by Noel Levitz in 2007, the “social networking” generation is seeking “more personalization from college and university websites”.  Even from 2006 and 2007 there was more of a shift in how quickly these expectations were evolving over time. To read more of the results of this study, click here.

Now: In an article written by Judith Reynard in 2009, she makes a case for how “social networking is only the beginning of a longer and more complex process of socially constructed learning and ultimately collaboration and knowledge building”.  Instructors and those who develop and deliver curriculum will find this article particularly interesting.

Hear Jim Black and other experts live at the Boston SEMM Forum!
Looking to enhance your SEM knowledge in skills? The Strategic Enrollment Marketing & Management Forum (SEMM Forum) will be taking place in Boston on March 2nd. This concise 1–day conference is a great learning opportunity that won't keep you in hotels and away from the office at great expense. Plus SEM Works newsletter subscribers can save $50 off the registration cost with this special discount code: SWK4. Register before the early-bird deadline to save even more! Visit www.SEMMForum.com for details and to register online now.

Noel-Levitz National Conference on Student Recruitment, Marketing, and Retention, July 21-23, 2010, Atlanta, Georgia

29th Annual Conference on The First- Year Experience February 12 – 16, 2010, Denver, Colorado.

Strategies for Increasing Student Persistence and Retention Seminar February 11 – 12, 2010, Clearwater Beach, Florida

NISOD's 32nd Annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence May 30-June 2, 2010 in Austin, Texas

Learn why NISOD's annual International Conference on Teaching and Leadership Excellence has been the largest conference for the past three years to focus on community colleges. The NISOD conference celebrates excellence and provides a unique professional development opportunity for faculty, staff, and administrators at colleges and universities to foster student success.