On June 9, 2008, the University of Virginia's Miller Center of Public Affairs and the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges (http://www.agb.org/) will convene a group of governors, legislators, trustees, and college executives to discuss this important question. The conference, Examining the National Purposes of American Higher Education: A Leadership Approach to Policy Reform, will focus on key governance and policy issues that confront higher education.
Facilitated By:
Gerald L. Baliles, Director of the Miller Center of Public Affairs & former Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Rick Legon, President of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
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9:15 AM
Presenter: James Duderstadt, President Emeritus and University Professor of Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan
Respondent: David Breneman, Newton and Rita Meyers Professor in Economics of Education and Director of the BA/MPP Program in Public Policy & former Dean of the Curry School of Education, University of Virginia
Moderated By: Gordon Davies, former Director of State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 1977-1997
This panel will explore the leadership roles of state elected officials, university and state higher education executives, and board members in forging the public agenda for higher education.
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10:45 AM
Presenter: Gordon Davies, former Director of State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 1977-1997
Respondent: Reggie Robinson, President, Kansas Board of Regents
Moderated By: Peter Blake
This panel will discuss preparation for a "global economy" that involves public colleges and universities helping their regions develop skilled and knowledgeable work forces that are attractive to prospective employers. Economic development begins at home, equipping local governments, communities, and residents with an understanding of the new environment and the resources needed to flourish in that environment. It can be assumed that a regional role is difficult, in large part because there are few rewards for doing so. Universities tend to be measured nationally and internationally on measures such as admissions selectivity and research volume. Regional responsibility requires new performance standards (most, if not all, states do not measure or reward what is euphemistically called "public service"), new expectations of faculty and staff, and new rules of engagement for senior administrators (working collaboratively with regional leaders to help meet needs). In addition, senior administrators have to remember that the university helps to address needs but it does not assume responsibility for solving the problems of a region or community.
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1:15 PM
Presenter: Rick Legon, President of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
Presenter: Paul Lingenfelter, President of the State Higher Education Executive Office
Respondent: Andrea Loughry, Vice Chair of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees
Moderated By: Susan Cole, President of Montclair State University, New Jersey
Are governing and coordinating boards an untapped and under-utilized resource for addressing the public agenda? The focus of this session will be on how boards can be selected, organized, and enabled to lead more effectively.
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2:30 PM
Group Leaders/Discussion Facilitators: Awaiting Confirmations
Much of the discussion about higher education over the last couple of years has centered on increased accountability, affordability, student learning outcomes, international competition, research and innovation, and college preparation. Policymakers and the general public look with heightened skepticism at higher education's overall performance while maintaining respect for individual institutions. And, across the country, we are seeing another phase of budget shortfalls at the state level, creating additional financial stress on the sector as it is asked to serve a rapidly changing student population.
With these challenges confronting American public higher education, we ask each group to address the following three (3) questions with an eye toward specific recommendations for action that may be included in a final meeting report:
1. How can governors, legislators, governing boards, and higher education executives effectively work together to implement a state public agenda that includes benchmark measures for education performance and improvement?
2. How can state policymakers and higher education work together to strengthen governance and institution and system leadership as we seek to meet the needs of people and their communities within each state?
3. What other policy changes could states consider that would strengthen the partnership between higher education and other state services, and advance the public agenda?
4:00 PM
Facilitated By: Mark Musick, President Emeritus of the Southern Regional Education Board
This facilitated discussion will seek consensus from the break-out groups on how policymakers and higher education leaders can use their leadership to address the public agenda.
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5:00 PM
White paper authors and conference organizers will use this time to draft a report that compiles group policy recommendations.
5:45 PM
Presented and Facilitated by: Gordon Davies, former Director of State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 1977-1997
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