College in MaineCollege in Maine
Smarter Maine PeopleSmarter Maine People
Better Maine JobsBetter Maine Jobs
Brighter Maine FutureBrighter Maine Future
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Members of the Members of the MaineMaine Higher Education Council Higher Education Council
are:are: The Presidents of 33 public and private colleges The Presidents of 33 public and private colleges
and universities in Maineand universities in Maine
The Chancellor of the University of Maine The Chancellor of the University of Maine SystemSystem
The President of the Community College SystemThe President of the Community College System
The Commissioner of Education and the The Commissioner of Education and the Department of Education Director of School Department of Education Director of School Support SystemsSupport Systems
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
About Maine’sAbout Maine’sColleges and UniversitiesColleges and Universities
We service over 64,000 studentsWe service over 64,000 students 75% of our students are from Maine75% of our students are from Maine Our campuses are located in all Our campuses are located in all
reaches of the statereaches of the state Students all over the world are taking Students all over the world are taking
thousands of web-based credit hours thousands of web-based credit hours from Maine colleges and universitiesfrom Maine colleges and universities
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Benefits toBenefits toMaine’s Economy…Maine’s Economy…
We provide nearly 14,000 jobsWe provide nearly 14,000 jobs And an additional 5100 work-study jobsAnd an additional 5100 work-study jobs Wages and salaries = $500 million annuallyWages and salaries = $500 million annually Combined operating budgets total nearly Combined operating budgets total nearly
$800 million$800 million 30% goes to purchase goods and services 30% goes to purchase goods and services
directly from Maine vendorsdirectly from Maine vendors
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
More Benefits toMore Benefits toMaine’s Economy…Maine’s Economy…
Nearly $200 million in capital projects Nearly $200 million in capital projects currently under constructioncurrently under construction
Approximately $65 million drawn to Approximately $65 million drawn to Maine annually for R&D projectsMaine annually for R&D projects
Out of state students bring $ with themOut of state students bring $ with them Colleges and Universities contribute Colleges and Universities contribute
dollars and services at the local leveldollars and services at the local level
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Dollars and “Sense” Dollars and “Sense” for the Individual…for the Individual…
College graduates earn about $1 million more College graduates earn about $1 million more over a lifetime than those who are only high over a lifetime than those who are only high school graduatesschool graduates
Associate degree holders earn 17% moreAssociate degree holders earn 17% more Bachelor degree holders earn 49% moreBachelor degree holders earn 49% more Advanced degree holders earn 205% moreAdvanced degree holders earn 205% more
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Dollars and “Sense” Dollars and “Sense” for Maine’s Economy…for Maine’s Economy…
As earnings rise, unemployment fallsAs earnings rise, unemployment falls Increased earnings translate into higher tax Increased earnings translate into higher tax
revenues and increased spendingrevenues and increased spending
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
We’re A Very Stable Industry We’re A Very Stable Industry in an Unstable Economy…in an Unstable Economy…
Higher education jobs are projected to Higher education jobs are projected to grow nearly 23% through 2012grow nearly 23% through 2012
Enrollments are upEnrollments are up Higher education is one industry where Higher education is one industry where
employment and enrollments tend to employment and enrollments tend to increase even in economic hard times increase even in economic hard times
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
So What Are We Worried So What Are We Worried About?About?
Not enough Maine residents go to collegeNot enough Maine residents go to college Many of those that do are not “college Many of those that do are not “college
ready”ready” Workforce needs are changing, forcing Workforce needs are changing, forcing
colleges and universities to adapt quicklycolleges and universities to adapt quickly More competition for fewer studentsMore competition for fewer students Increased federal scrutinyIncreased federal scrutiny
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Not EnoughNot EnoughMaine Residents Go To Maine Residents Go To
CollegeCollege Maine has one of the top high Maine has one of the top high
school completion rates in the school completion rates in the country, but only 50% go on to country, but only 50% go on to collegecollege
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Many High School Many High School Graduates Are Not College Graduates Are Not College
ReadyReady 42% of first-year students are 42% of first-year students are
unprepared for collegeunprepared for college Remediation costs BILLIONS of Remediation costs BILLIONS of
dollarsdollars Remediation hurts Retention & Remediation hurts Retention &
Graduation Rates Graduation Rates
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Post-Secondary EducationPost-Secondary Education
0 1 3 or >
56
34
18
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
% Students
# Remedial Courses
6 Year Graduation Rates
Source: Kirst, M. (2004). The high school/college disconnect. Educational Leadership, 62(3), 51-55.
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Increased Federal ScrutinyIncreased Federal Scrutiny
The Commission on the Future of The Commission on the Future of Higher Education released its report Higher Education released its report in September 2006in September 2006
Secretary Spellings priorities Secretary Spellings priorities include:include:– Preparing students better for collegePreparing students better for college– Addressing the affordability issueAddressing the affordability issue– Holding colleges “accountable” for Holding colleges “accountable” for
student records and outcome datastudent records and outcome data
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
What We’re Doing…What We’re Doing… Working collaboratively with each other, Working collaboratively with each other,
Maine Readiness Campaign, DOE and others Maine Readiness Campaign, DOE and others to improve college readiness in Maineto improve college readiness in Maine
Being accountable for college academic Being accountable for college academic progress through the accreditation and progress through the accreditation and assessment process.assessment process.
Communicating about:Communicating about: Who we are and why Maine is the best location for Who we are and why Maine is the best location for
educationeducation What courses a student needs to be ready for What courses a student needs to be ready for
collegecollege How to apply and pay for collegeHow to apply and pay for college
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
What Maine LegislatorsWhat Maine LegislatorsCan Do…Can Do…
Invest in higher education at every opportunityInvest in higher education at every opportunity Advertise the superior quality, diversity, and Advertise the superior quality, diversity, and
importance of Maine’s colleges and universitiesimportance of Maine’s colleges and universities Keep long-term benefits in mind when making Keep long-term benefits in mind when making
short-term budget decisionsshort-term budget decisions Pass the Revised Maine Learning ResultsPass the Revised Maine Learning Results
Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council
Thank you!Thank you!