Presidents and Media Discuss Future
of Higher Education
By Sarah Ann Mockbee

President Michael Crow, Arizona State U.; President Kermit Hall, Utah State U.; President Judith Sahpiro, Barnard College

Twelve presidents from top universities and colleges around the country, along with a distinguished panel of news media, recently gathered at the Penn Club to discuss the major issues that are affecting their schools as well as the impact these challenges are having on our economy and society as a whole. One of the first topics discussed was how a second Bush term would affect the way higher education addressed issues like foreign student enrollment (which has decreased over the past year), freedom of speech, and research programs like the one the University of California is undertaking concerning stem cell research. Many agreed that the government should be filling that role and footing the costly bill that accompanies it.

University of Texas president, Larry Faulkner, brought non-partisan issues to the forefront, saying that regardless of who holds the presidency, access to education and affordability will always be of paramount concern. The fact that a greater number of high school graduates are trying to matriculate to higher education schools poses a difficult scenario for colleges and universities who don't have enough space to accommodate increased enrollment. Consequently, colleges and universities will become more selective, leaving out capable students who simply don't make the cut. This affects diversity in the classroom, another major issue that the group discussed. Many agreed that the gap between white and minority students is still too large, which is a constant challenge for colleges and universities who want to move toward a more representative student body.

Another hot topic of the night—one that is on the minds of both students and administrators—is the high cost of quality education. Arizona State University President Michael Crow revealed that his institution has raised tuition 60 percent over the last two years and that the trend will likely continue. Surprisingly, his students seem to support this increase because it will mean more money for financial aid, expansion of faculty, wireless access and a library open 24 hours a day. Kermit Hall, president of Utah State University, and Faulkner, agreed saying that their students also supported tuition hikes if it meant that their education would be enhanced.