Exploring Access in Higher Education and Exploring Access in Higher Education and Choosing our FutureChoosing our Future

Michigan College Personnel AssociationMichigan College Personnel Association

October 25, 2004October 25, 2004

Outline for our time together:Outline for our time together:

Who are we?Who are we? Issues related to Issues related to accessaccess to higher education to higher education Questions to keep in mindQuestions to keep in mind One idea for moving forward – One idea for moving forward – Access to Access to

Democracy ProjectDemocracy Project Mini Mini Access to DemocracyAccess to Democracy Dialogue Dialogue ConclusionConclusion

Ecological Systems ModelEcological Systems Model Developed by the W.K. Kellogg FoundationDeveloped by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation

The Array of Higher Education BenefitsThe Array of Higher Education BenefitsPrepared by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, March 1998Prepared by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, March 1998

Increased Tax RevenuesIncreased Tax Revenues Greater ProductivityGreater Productivity Increased ConsumptionIncreased Consumption Increased Workforce FlexibilityIncreased Workforce Flexibility Decreased Reliance on Decreased Reliance on

Government Financial SupportGovernment Financial Support

Reduced Crime RatesReduced Crime Rates Increased Charitable Giving / Increased Charitable Giving /

Community ServiceCommunity Service Increased Quality of Civic LifeIncreased Quality of Civic Life Social Cohesion / Appreciation of Social Cohesion / Appreciation of

DiversityDiversity Improved Ability to Adapt to and Improved Ability to Adapt to and

Use TechnologyUse Technology

Higher Salaries and BenefitsHigher Salaries and Benefits EmploymentEmployment Higher Savings LevelsHigher Savings Levels Improved Working ConditionsImproved Working Conditions Personal / Professional MobilityPersonal / Professional Mobility

Improved Health / Life Improved Health / Life ExpectancyExpectancy

Improved Quality of Life for Improved Quality of Life for OffspringOffspring

Better Consumer Decision MakingBetter Consumer Decision Making Increased Personal StatusIncreased Personal Status More Hobbies, Leisure ActivitiesMore Hobbies, Leisure Activities

Public Private

Economic

Social

67%

70%

71%

76%

19%

18%

16%

16%

17%

16%

15%

16%

15%

14%

65%

64%

63%

61%

61%

57%

54%

13%

Attracting people to the state

Creating a sense of state pride

Keeping young people in the state

Bringing money into the state

Good quality of life

Attracting businesses & employers

Keeping the state's economy strong

Creating jobs

Enhance research & technology

Technologically competitive

Well-trained workforce in state

Fairly important Very important

Why Do Higher Education Why Do Higher Education Institutions Matter?Institutions Matter?

Source: The American Council on Education

Please tell me how important good public colleges and universities are to each of the following:

89%

85%

85%

83%

80%

80%

80%

77%

77%

75%

73%

Some of the Issues We Face in Some of the Issues We Face in Trying to Advance Higher Education Trying to Advance Higher Education

as a Public Good…as a Public Good…

Institutional MissionInstitutional Mission EconomicsEconomics Civic Disconnect Civic Disconnect Language, message, and focusLanguage, message, and focus Public understanding, support & Public understanding, support &

engagementengagement

Some of the Threats to Access…Some of the Threats to Access…

• Higher Education Act Reauthorization and Higher Education Act Reauthorization and Student Financial AidStudent Financial Aid

• State Budget DeficitsState Budget Deficits

• Tuition IncreasesTuition Increases

• Limited college capacity and a growing Limited college capacity and a growing number of students attending collegenumber of students attending college

• Challenges to Affirmative ActionChallenges to Affirmative Action

Access to Democracy ProjectAccess to Democracy Project

Information and Education EffortInformation and Education Effort

Grassroots - Grass tops ModelGrassroots - Grass tops Model

Involvement of Kellogg Fellows, American Involvement of Kellogg Fellows, American Council on Education Fellows, Librarians, Council on Education Fellows, Librarians, and Teachersand Teachers

And also Governor’s Staff, Community And also Governor’s Staff, Community Foundations, Michigan FoundationsFoundations, Michigan Foundations

8%

38%

78%

19%

Agree Disagree

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement:

Colleges and universities are places where important issues facing our nation and the world should be debated.

Places of Public Debate?Places of Public Debate?

College-age adults, ages 18-24, are more likely to strongly agree

that colleges and universities should be places of public debate

(50%) than older adults (36%).

Post-graduates (53%) are significantly more likely than

college graduates (42%) or those with less than a college education

(34%) to strongly agree that issues of public importance should be debated in these

institutions.

The National Issues The National Issues

Forum InstituteForum Institute

Framing the Issue for Public DeliberationFraming the Issue for Public Deliberation

Engaging Communities in Dialogue on Engaging Communities in Dialogue on Public Issues Public Issues

““If American democracy is to fulfill its promise, citizens If American democracy is to fulfill its promise, citizens must take responsibility and act together.”must take responsibility and act together.”

                

Questions to Keep in MindQuestions to Keep in Mind

What does access / lack thereof look like at What does access / lack thereof look like at your your institution?institution?

What should it look like?What should it look like? What is our role in this change process?What is our role in this change process? What is the role of our institution?What is the role of our institution? Are there different issues across institution Are there different issues across institution

type? Different states? type? Different states? How may we be an ally to one another?How may we be an ally to one another?

ConclusionConclusion

Revisiting the questions to keep in mindRevisiting the questions to keep in mind How does this relate back to our campuses?How does this relate back to our campuses? What is our role as student affairs What is our role as student affairs

professionals in the state of Michigan?professionals in the state of Michigan? Final questions / commentsFinal questions / comments

Other pertinent slides…Other pertinent slides…

What should a student gain from college?(% saying "absolutely essential"…)

71%

68%

63%

61%

60%

57%

44%

32%

What Should Students Get Out What Should Students Get Out of College?of College?

Source: The National Center for Public Policy & Higher Education

A sense of maturity and how to manage on their own

An ability to get along with people different from themselves

An improved ability to solve problems and think analytically

Learning hi-tech skills, such as using computers and the Internet

Specific expertise and knowledge in careers they have chosen

Top-notch writing and speaking skills

Responsibilities of citizenship, such as voting and volunteering

Exposure to great writers and thinkers in subjects like literature and history

Most Important Economic Most Important Economic ContributionContribution

Providing jobs for people in the state

41%

Attracting businesses to the state

23%

Don't know/ Refused

6%

Bringing people & money to the state

30%

Disproportionately over 50, not college

graduates, lower income

Disproportionately male with advanced degrees; also

disproportionately African American

Disproportionately younger, more educated, more

affluent

Source: The American Council on Education

Which of the following ways would you say is the most important way that the public colleges and universities in

this state contribute to the state’s economy?

Don't know/ Refused

2%

Somewhat disagree

17%

Somewhat agree45%

Strongly disagree

9%

Strongly agree27%

Women (76%) are more likely than men (66%) to

believe that active citizenship is a main goal

of higher education.

. Adults in rural areas (80%) are more likely than

urban adults (69%) to believe that active

citizenship is a main goal of higher education

Active Citizenship as a Goal of Active Citizenship as a Goal of Higher EducationHigher Education

Women are now the majority of those enrolled

in degree-granting institutions (60%).

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement:

“One of the main goals of higher education is to teach students how

to be active citizens.”

I'm going to read you some issues colleges & universities face today. Please tell me

how good a job you think higher education is doing on that issue…

(% saying…)

7%

15%48%

40%

41% 6%Preparing students to be

active citizens

Building a relationship withsurrounding communities

Preparing students for a career

Good Excellent

African American respondents (18%) are more than twice as

likely as Caucasian respondents (7%) to say that colleges and universities are doing a poor job on preparing

students for a career.

African American respondents (22%) are more than twice as

likely as Caucasian respondents (10%) to say that colleges and universities are

doing a poor job on building a relationship with the

surrounding community.

How Are Colleges and How Are Colleges and Universities Doing?Universities Doing?

63%

47%

47%

What role do institutions What role do institutions of higher education have of higher education have

in fostering public in fostering public debate?debate?

Key QuestionKey Question

More47%Don't know

8%

About right35%

Less10%

College-age adults, ages 18-24, are most likely to want

institutions of higher education to do more (61%).

Adults with a high school or less education are least likely to want colleges or universities to do more to encourage public debate (41%) than their college (47%) or post-graduate

(57%) counterparts.

Adults of color (63%) are significantly more likely than

white adults (44%) to want colleges and universities to

do more.

In general, do you think colleges and universities should - do more to encourage public debate on issues of importance to the nation and the world, do less to encourage public debate, or are their

current efforts about right?

Should Higher Education Should Higher Education Be Doing More?Be Doing More?

50%34%

41%33%

77%74%

89%

76%

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement:

Colleges and universities are places where important issues facing our nation and the

world should be debated.

Gender and EducationGender and Education

42%48% 53% 48%

In general, do you think colleges and universities should - do more to encourage public debate on issues of importance to

the nation and the world, do less to encourage public debate, or are their

current efforts about right?

CollegeMen

CollegeWomen

Non-college

Men

Non-collegeWomen

CollegeMen

CollegeWomen

Non-college

Men

Non-collegeWomen

Non-college men are the most likely to believe colleges and universities should do less to encourage public debate, while non-college women are the most undecided.

How does the public How does the public view diversity and view diversity and

affirmative action in affirmative action in higher education?higher education?

Key QuestionKey Question

Do you support or oppose affirmative action for women and minorities…

(% saying…)

64%

25%

12%Don't know

Oppose

Support

Support for Affirmative ActionSupport for Affirmative Action

Support for Affirmative Action Includes:

61% of White Adults63% of Hispanic or Latino Adults83% of African-American Adults

Source: Americans for a Fair Chance

Is Affirmative Action Still Is Affirmative Action Still Necessary?Necessary?

27%

43%

20%

9%

Affirmative action remains necessary

Affirmative action isn’t perfect, but it is NOT yet

time to end it

Affirmative action should be ended immediately

Don’t know

Source: Americans for a Fair Chance

Choose the one statement that you agree with most:(% saying…)

23% White

53% African American

31% Hispanic or Latino

When the focus is on the process rather than the outcome.When the focus is on the process rather than the outcome. When specific programs are described.When specific programs are described. When programs encourage without mandating.When programs encourage without mandating. When programs are gender-based as well as race-based.When programs are gender-based as well as race-based.

Selection criteria should be color-blind and affirmative action violates this principle.Selection criteria should be color-blind and affirmative action violates this principle. Affirmative action means that people who are less qualified will be hired or admitted, when people who Affirmative action means that people who are less qualified will be hired or admitted, when people who

are more qualified are shut out.are more qualified are shut out. People should be rewarded for hard work and responsibility, not for having some arbitrary attribute.People should be rewarded for hard work and responsibility, not for having some arbitrary attribute. Affirmative action means reverse discrimination, trading one kind of discrimination for another. Affirmative action means reverse discrimination, trading one kind of discrimination for another. When programs are class-based rather than either gender- or race-based.When programs are class-based rather than either gender- or race-based.

When are People Most When are People Most Supportive?Supportive?

Selection criteria should be color-blind and Selection criteria should be color-blind and affirmative action violates this principle.affirmative action violates this principle.

Affirmative action means that people who are Affirmative action means that people who are less qualified will be hired or admitted, when less qualified will be hired or admitted, when people who are more qualified are shut out.people who are more qualified are shut out.

People should be rewarded for hard work People should be rewarded for hard work and responsibility, not for having some and responsibility, not for having some arbitrary attribute.arbitrary attribute.

Why Do People Oppose Why Do People Oppose Affirmative Action?Affirmative Action?

Affirmative action means Affirmative action means reverse discrimination, reverse discrimination, trading one kind of trading one kind of discrimination for another. discrimination for another.

When programs are class-When programs are class-based rather than either based rather than either gender- or race-based.gender- or race-based.

Why Do People Oppose Affirmative Action?Why Do People Oppose Affirmative Action?

88%

98%

2%

Agree Disagree

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement:

All people - regardless of race, ethnicity, social class or gender - should have equal opportunity to a higher education.

Equal Opportunity to Equal Opportunity to a Higher Educationa Higher Education

More than 8 out of 10 adults across every demographic and geographic subgroup strongly

agree that all people should have equal opportunity to a

higher education.

59%

87%

5%

11%

Important Not important

How important do you personally believe it is to have students of different races,

cultures and backgrounds in higher education?

Diversity is Important, But...Diversity is Important, But...

Which TWO of the following do you personally think colleges and universities should use as the most important factors

in deciding which students to admit to their schools:

70% - Grades from High School

50% - Standardized Test Scores

16% - Special abilities in athletics, art or music

14% - Leadership in school or community

11% - Creativity

5 % - Residency in school’s home state

5% - Community or volunteer experience

2% - History of parents

2% - Race or ethnicity of student

0% - Gender of student

Source: The American Council on Education/Business-Higher Education Forum

*Half Sample Only

35%4%

21%

75%

8%

Please tell me whether you agree or disagree with the following statement: Colleges and universities should be

allowed to take actions to ensure that their student body is diverse.

Action to Ensure Diversity in Action to Ensure Diversity in Higher EducationHigher Education

Do you favor or oppose affirmative action programs in higher education,

or aren’t you sure?

Agree DisagreeDon’tknow

24% 54%

31%

16%

14%

Favor

Oppose

Don’tknow

Source: The American Council on Education/Business-Higher Education Forum

14%29%

66%

29%

5%

Agree Disagree

Please tell me if you agree or disagree with the following statement:

Affirmative action policies in higher education have a positive effect on our society.

Affirmative Action:Affirmative Action:Positive Benefit to SocietyPositive Benefit to Society

Don’t know

Most likely to strongly agree:– Household income of under $25K (41%)– Adults of color (40%)– Children under age 6 (35%)– High school or less education (34%)

Most likely to disagree:– Household income of $75K or more (41%)– College educated men (41%) – Post-graduates (37%)– Men (35%)– Children age 6 or older (35%)– Reside in the South (34%)– White adults (30%)

Drop-Off: Affirmative ActionDrop-Off: Affirmative ActionAgree with Opportunity but Not Affirmative Action:(Those most likely to agree that all people should have an equal

opportunity to higher education, but disagree that affirmative

action in higher education benefits society.)

Total (27%)Household income of $75K or more (38%)College educated men (38%)Post-graduates (36%)With children ages 6 and older (34%)Reside in the South (32%)Men (33%)

Those who believe colleges and universities should be places where issues of public importance are debated are significantly more likely to believe affirmative action policies in higher education have benefited society than those who do not (69% to 55% respectively).