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Multiple Options for Higher Education
by Daniel J. Elsener, President, Marian College (IN)
Published in The Criterion, August 20, 2004
The issue of the rising cost of a college education has been on the top
of everyone’s mind lately. Individuals in our community and organizations—like
the Lumina Foundation—have forwarded suggestions about how state
government, parents, and families can solve the problem. At Marian College,
we know those solutions are not the only ones and that there are four
important dimensions to the problem that must be addressed simultaneously.
First, Indiana colleges and universities must find ways to control expenses.
Marian College has engaged in an institutional-wide effort to improve
efficiency and reduce operating costs, improve the overall financial health
of the college, and increase the quality of our programs. It is quite
clear that we have effectively addressed the issue of cost-control and
quality improvement inside our organization.
Centralized purchasing, use of technology, and reducing overhead and
bureaucracy are only the beginning; future operational strength will also
depend upon the ability of academic institutions to partner with each
other and existing community and business organizations to provide an
excellent education to our students while meeting community needs. Controlling
the spiraling cost of higher education means putting an end to the higher
education “arms race” that causes over-built facilities and
high priced amenities.
Second, parents and families need a better understanding, early in their
role as parents, that higher education is an essential and a significant
investment, but the returns far exceed the cost and sacrifice required.
People possessing college degrees make on average $1 million more over
a lifetime than those without. Moreover, college graduates are prepared
to change with the economic times, which will most certainly occur throughout
their work life, to meet the needs of employers and customers. There is
no better place to invest family income than a college education, when
one considers the magnanimous return—for the families and the community—from
this investment.
Third, the state and federal government leaders must help our tax payers
better understand that tax dollars invested in helping students attain
a college education, especially the low-income and middle class students,
come back quite handsomely to the state in tax revenues, enriched cultural
life, economic prosperity, and in the innovation necessary to improve
the quality of life for all of us. In addition to direct aid to students,
our political leaders should help promote and reward saving for college,
and provide incentives that stimulate donations for scholarships and financial
aid to needy students.
Fourth, people of good will should consider donations to higher education
a philanthropic priority—particularly those gifts that go directly
to financially needy students in the form of scholarships or need-based
aid. While there are many ways to spend money, there is no better way
to practice good stewardship of one’s resource than to invest in
the advancement of another human being. Such gifts insure that they are
forever capable of earning a living, raising a family, serving the community,
participating in our democracy, and making the world a better place.
The solution to controlling the high cost of a college education must
come from a unified effort to put higher education at the top of our priority
list—as institutions, as parents, as taxpayers and legislators,
and as generous donors. Let’s make funding our students first a
rallying point for the State of Indiana.
Daniel J. Elsener is president of Marian College in Indianapolis,
a former teacher, principal, and superintendent in several Catholic school
systems, and former executive director for stewardship and development
with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. He has directed a major local foundation
in Indianapolis committed to improving education. He is the father of
nine children, three of whom graduated from college and two are currently
attending college.
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