Integrated Marketing, Reputation, and Image Update

Have states finally hit pay dirt? After several years of roller-coaster funding for public institutions, states finally have turnaround, with tax coffers rapidly filling -- in many cases above expectations. So, as the drought ends, the obvious question is this: how can state colleges and universities, direly dependent on state tax dollars, diversify their revenue streams to become less needy? We think an integrated marketing approach, one that seeks to maximize public and private revenue, is an obvious tack more institutions are seeking. Will it work on your campus?

• New York Times

Idea for body-parts farm raises concerns about faculty research; how much is too much? As if university research doesn't have enough image challenges, what conclusions will key constituents draw when they learn that a professor at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) envisions a three-acre, body-part farm to study the impact of human decay on the anatomy? We certainly are not casting judgment on the validity of the research, but we question the manner in which such gruesome notions are communicated. If not communicated well, the idea will die on the vine. (Oops.) Point being: research of this nature may well have enormous value, but how we communicate it may be the key to winning federal support or not. It appears UNI's early efforts are sensitive and strong. There are lessons here for all of us. Stay tuned.

• Wired.com

What is the return on the investment (ROI) for education? In years past we have often boasted, "A college graduate will earn more than $1 million over the course of their working lives compared to a non-college graduate, according to US government estimates." But what actually is the true ROI? As budgets are cut, revenue streams dry up, and demands on colleges and universities increase, we will be forced to answer the question: of what value is the education we offer? The New York Times covers this issue and raises some perplexing questions about education in general, not merely post-secondary.

• New York Times

Campus Crises in the News

Ohio football coach found passed out: DUI arrest leads to promise of redemption.

• ESPN.com

Are we doing enough to protect coeds? With Dateline poised to run a story tonight on sexual assaults on campus -- featuring William and Mary, among other institutions -- college escort services are getting more attention.

• Dailypress.com

Tulane University emerges, but slimmed down: Katrina has forced the venerable university to cut drastically to make ends meet.

• USA Today

Colorado University football coach fired; is saga finally ending? CU dismisses Coach Gary Barnett, the last key figure in the school's sports recruiting scandal to depart the Boulder campus.

• USA Today

Latinos and GOP can't get along: New Mexico State University is the site of a clash between Latinos and Republicans, and the outcome is far from certain.

• InsideHigherEd.com

Anti-creation views cause furor: A University of Kansas department chair has ignited a firestorm over emails criticizing Christian fundamentalist views on creationism.

• University Business

Appalachian State University faces spate of violent crime linked to drugs: The bucolic North Carolina campus is under siege after two drug-related murders and numerous drug threats, prompting a quick reaction from the board of trustees.

• The Mountain Times

Sexism the final straw: Kansas's Newman University announces their president, Aidan O. Dunleavy, is leaving, amid a slew of allegations -- including sexism and discrimination.

• InsideHigherEd.com

South Carolina governor says enough is enough: The governor of the Palmetto State is calling on the legislature to impose tuition-hike caps on colleges and universities, a move he says will stem skyrocketing tuition.

• Charleston.net

Four in ten bowl-bound teams giving failing grades: Reports say 41 percent of college football teams slated for bowl games aren't cutting it academically this year.

• TwinCities.com

Does Congress have too much time on its hands? American University's president was recently forced to resign amid egregious spending, and will now be the subject -- along with his board of trustees -- of a congressional investigation. Don't lawmakers have more pressing issues to confront?

• WashingtonPost.com

Nevada schools failing? The state's two public universities graduate less than half their students, while community colleges are doing little better.

• Las Vegas Sun

Utah presidential digs in the high-rent district: The Utah Board of Regents looks more closely after learning four university presidents live in homes valued in excess of $1 million.

• DeseretNews.com