Buena Vista University President Fred Moore discusses impact of 9-11 on college campuses during Presidents Institute session.

A recent survey of the ramifications of the September 11 terrorist attacks on higher education presented during a Presidents Institute concurrent session reveals that 9-11 has not affected students’ decisions about what kind of college they will attend, who influences them, their choice of major, or the location of the institution.
    The study, completed by Robert Sevier, vice president for research and marketing of Stamats Communications, Inc., surveyed 506 college-bound high school students in November about how the tragedy of September 11 influenced their decisions about college. While the survey did not show that students changed their minds about their college plans, it did show that students are very sensitive about issues related to safety, study abroad, and distance they are willing to travel to attend school.
    Lorna Miles Whalen, a principal consultant with Stamats, said during the session that "nearly three out of four students told us that the events of September 11 would have no impact on their consideration of schools that would require air travel between school and home." However, she said that students indicated that if another incident should occur, "they will likely reevaluate where they will attend school." In addition, she said "parental influence over college choice is rising… While parents have never really told their sons and daughters to attend a specific school, they are increasingly likely to tell them not to attend a specific institution. At this point, parents are slightly more concerned about their children studying in large cities than the students are themselves." Campus safety, already high on the list of parental concerns, also is increasingly an issue. "Not just a question of good lighting, 24-hour security, and one-card systems, campus safety is and will continue to evolve into a complex array of communications, trust, and service issues," Whalen said.
    Fred Moore, president of Buena Vista University (IA), who facilitated the Presidents Institute discussion, said that "campuses across the country are providing support and forums for students to process 9-11 and its aftermath, as well as the historical events leading up to it." Whalen pointed out that there is a distinct difference between the attitudes of high school students, "whose fear and apprehension may have been shelved temporarily" and college students. "Presidents report that their students are engaged…with a strong sense of connection to the roots of terrorism, deep concern for the meaning of the terrible events, interest in the new order of politics, and a heightened sense of belonging to community on their campuses," she said. The complete survey results can be obtained on the Stamats website at www.stamats.com/9-11/default.asp.
    Thomas Williams, president and CEO of Noel Levitz, a consulting firm specializing in enrollment management, explained during the session that his firm conducted an online survey of enrollment managers and directors of admissions in December 2001 to study the impact of the events of September 11 on enrollment, recruitment, and retention. "For the most part, institutions are approaching the effects of September 11 realistically, making adjustments to prepare for a shift in enrollment toward more students from each institution’s geographic area, but not anticipating major differences in enrollment or retention," he said. The survey shows that:

• One-third of institutions are modifying their recruitment strategies and 30 percent report making some change in communications strategies;
• 59 percent reported an increase in applications, but of the 17 percent of colleges that reported drops, most were four-year private institutions;
• Nearly half (47 percent) of respondents report increasing security;
• 37 percent predict that students will need to borrow more, and 17 percent anticipate increasing defaults on student loans;
• 85 percent of institutions have a crisis plan in place; and
• One-fifth (21 percent) of institutions reported increased interest in curricular offerings in criminal justice, international studies, faith-based programs, nursing, and psychology.

    The Noel Levitz survey is also available on the web at www.noellevitz.com.

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Last updated: April 12, 2002
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