Bridges to the Future: Changing Realities in Higher Education

Higher education is facing a period of great change. Technology, demographic changes, costs that consistently outstrip inflation, growing price resistance from parents and students, competition from non-traditional schools, the potential for increased governmental involvement and other forces are challenging the pedagogy, economic models, traditions and viability of higher education institutions. The impact of disruptive changes that lie on the educational horizon is likely to be profound. If the experience of other industries is any guide, procedural inertia, organizational sclerosis and limited resources will lead to institutional retrenchment, downsizings, consolidations and a general thinning of the ranks of traditional schools.