College Students Then and Now

1. College Students Then and Now Board of Trustees Meeting Focus Discussion December 14, 2007

2. The U.S. Economy Over Time • Real disposable income per capita in 2000 chained dollars has risen from $9,736 in 1960, to $19,907 in 1986, to $28,594 in 2007, but overall growth has not been even. • During the 1960s income and consumption rose by 1/3, both slowed in the 1970s, became negative in the 1980s, and increased in the 1990s with a few dips, and rebounded during the beginning of 2000.1 • Changes in family types and average educational attainment levels occurred.2 1According to Johnson and Shipp (1995), families within certain demographic groups are less well off especially those who are single parents and/or have a high school degree or less. 2There is an increase in the percentage of households headed by college graduates and a decrease in the households headed by high school graduates or below.

3. College Education • In 2000, Americans reached historic highs in educational attainment. 84% of all Americans age 25 or older earned a high school degree or its equivalent; 26% earned a college degree or higher. In 1975, these percentages were only 63% and 14%, respectively.1 • Historically, continuing an education beyond high school qualifies individuals for many more jobs in a rapidly changing economy.2 1Statistics retrieved from the Day and Newburger, July 2002. Census Report, “The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Payoffs of Work-Life Earnings” posted on the WWW at: http://www.census.gov/prod/2002pubs/p23-210.pdf 2For earning and learning data, visit: http://themint.org/kids/learning-and-earning.html

4. “Sandwich Generation” • The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of CPAs reports that 25 million families (single and dual) now1 • Care for elderly parents • Raise children while preparing for their college education • Save for retirement • The “true” cost of an education also includes the current costs of new family dynamics, increased work commitments, different living situations, and varying levels of academic preparation.2 1Reference: http://www.aicpa.org/download/financialliteracy/Sandwich_Generation_Toolkit/Financial_Tips.pdf 2For an overview of the total costs of an education visit the College Board’s report “Trends in College Pricing 2006” available on the WWW at http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/press/cost06/trends_college_pricing_06.pdf

5. NMU Student’s Money Costs – 2007 dollars

6. Mission Statements 1960 Mission Statement • As the regional college of the Upper Peninsula, Northern is guided by the concept that higher education should be made available to all who have the ability to benefit from it and the desire to obtain it. • In the light of the educational needs of the day, Northern follows a philosophy of merging the liberal and the practical aspects of education, of providing an academic program rich in quality and at the same time expansive enough to serve the increasing numbers of students who come to the campus and to the hundreds of knowledge-seeking adults in the communities of the Northern Peninsula.

7. Mission Statements (continued) 1987 Mission Statement Northern Michigan University is primarily an undergraduate instructional institution emphasizing liberal arts, sciences, teacher education, pre-professional programs, and professional programs in business, health, and other areas. The university also offers associate degrees, master’s degrees, education specialist degrees, and skills certificates in selected areas of program strength and in response to state and regional need. Committed to helping students with potential to achieve academic success, the University has an experienced and well-qualified faculty and a comprehensive student support system, including a strong financial aid program.  The University also serves the region by providing leadership and sharing expertise in education, business, government, and health; contributing to the cultural richness of the region; and providing athletic and recreational opportunities. In addition, it regards the scholarly and creative endeavors of the faculty, as vital to its mission.  

8. Mission Statements (continued) 2007 Mission Statement Northern Michigan University, by providing quality academic programs, strong student support, and extensive regional service for its stakeholders in the upper Midwest, challenges its students, faculty, staff, and alumni to strive for excellence, both inside and outside the classroom, and to become outstanding citizens and leaders. To accomplish this mission, Northern provides a supportive living and learning environment that includes high-caliber undergraduate and graduate programs, personal attention, extensive use of modern technology, and continuous improvement of curriculum and services through systematic assessment. Challenging themselves and their students, Northern faculty and staff are dedicated to effective teaching and intellectual inquiry; to including students as learning partners in their research, scholarship, and other professional activities; and to advancing the University's roles as a service provider and as a cultural and recreational center in the Upper Peninsula. Northern Michigan University students will study ethics, humanitarian values, and cultural awareness in a strong general education program as well as master specific knowledge in a major career field. As graduates who are life-long learners, they will possess the skills and attitudes to succeed in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, multi-cultural world. As alumni, they will be challenged to continue an NMU tradition, that of distinguishing themselves in their careers and communities.

9. Demographic Changes

10. Demographic Changes (continued)

11. On-Campus Student Housing *9 out of 12 halls were in use at this time

12. Length of Time to Earn a Degree Expectations of workload and credit hour loads are directly related to the length of time It takes a student to attain a baccalaureate degree

13. From then (1960)…..

14. To now (2007)….

15. Student Life

16. The University Curriculum…

17. Most baccalaureate degree programs have three areas: • General education (liberal arts) • Major coursework • Elective courses • In addition, students often add a minor

18. Factors affecting the curriculum • Workforce needs • Knowledge expansion • Licensure standards • Endorsements • Accreditation • Technological changes • Resources • Experiential learning • International education

19. Impact of Technology on theCurriculum • NMU – “largest laptop campus in the U.S.” • The internet • Research databases and scholarly literature • High tech laboratory equipment • Online education • Importance of technology proficiency/literacy in all disciplines • New disciplines created because of technology (e.g., Computer Science, Information Systems, Graphic Design) • Students are “digital natives”: • Cell phones, iPODs, Podcasts, Instant Messages, Facebook, Second Life, Blogs, and Wikis

20. Most NMU BA/BS programs can be completed in 124 credits • 15-16 credits for 8 semesters = graduation in 4 years • Time to graduation has decreased from 1995 to 2007 • Graduation rates have increased from 1995 to 2007

21. Services that enhance student progress • Faculty involvement with students • Faculty advisement training • Academic and Career Advising Center • First Year Experience Program • Writing Center • All Campus Tutoring • Student Support Services

22. Liberal Studies 1987 Six “divisions” Credits: 40 Courses “counting” as Liberal Studies: fewer 1960 Seven “groups” Credits: varied, depending on program 2007 Six “divisions” Credits: 40 Courses “counting” as Liberal Studies: more • Conclusions: • 1. “NMU follows a philosophy of merging the liberal and the practical aspects of education” (1961-62 NMU Bulletin) • A Liberal Studies program has been in place since 1960 • Increases in course offerings make it easier to complete this portion of the curriculum

23. College of Arts and Sciences 1960 124 credits required for graduation Majors: typically 24 credits. Minors: typically 15 credits Several Majors required two minors 1987 124+ credits required for graduation Majors: typically 32-36 credits Minors: typically 20 credits; some larger programs omit the minor 2007 124+ credits required for graduation Majors: typically 36-40 credits Minors: typically 20 credits; some larger programs omit the minor

24. College of Business – Baccalaureate Programs 1960 124 credits required for graduation Majors: 24 credits Minor: Required Number of Majors: 2 1987 132-148 credits required for graduation Majors: 61 credits Minor: Not required Number of Majors: 10 2007 128-152 credits required for graduation (includes some 5-year programs) Majors: 64-68 credits Minor: Not required Number of Majors: 11

25. College of Professional Studies • 2007 • Elementary Education • Ed. credits: 75 • Total credits: 124-157 • Special Education • Ed. credits: 81 • Total credits: 133-155 • Secondary Education • Ed. credits: 33-41 • Total credits: 127-152 • 1960 • Elementary Education • - Ed. credits: 32 • Total credits: 124 • Special Education • Ed. credits: 29 • Total credits: 124 • Secondary Education • - Ed. credits: 22-26 • - Total credits: 124-128 1987 Elementary Education - Ed. credits: 53 - Total credits: 124-128 Special Education - Ed. credits: 66 - Total credits: 130 Secondary Education - Ed. credits: 26-28 - Total credits: 124-132 • 1968 • Nursing • - 32 Courses for Major • Major: 8 courses • Minor: 5 courses • 1987 • BSN • Nursing credits: 55 • Total credits: 131 • Minor: none required • 2007 • BSN • Nursing credits: 62 • Total credits: 130 • Minor: none required

26. Mission Statements 2007 Mission Statement Northern Michigan University, by providing quality academic programs, strong student support, and extensive regional service for its stakeholders in the upper Midwest, challenges its students, faculty, staff, and alumni to strive for excellence, both inside and outside the classroom, and to become outstanding citizens and leaders. To accomplish this mission, Northern provides a supportive living and learning environment that includes high-caliber undergraduate and graduate programs, personal attention, extensive use of modern technology, and continuous improvement of curriculum and services through systematic assessment. Challenging themselves and their students, Northern faculty and staff are dedicated to effective teaching and intellectual inquiry; to including students as learning partners in their research, scholarship, and other professional activities; and to advancing the University's roles as a service provider and as a cultural and recreational center in the Upper Peninsula. Northern Michigan University students will study ethics, humanitarian values, and cultural awareness in a strong general education program as well as master specific knowledge in a major career field. As graduates who are life-long learners, they will possess the skills and attitudes to succeed in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, multi-cultural world. As alumni, they will be challenged to continue an NMU tradition, that of distinguishing themselves in their careers and communities. 1960 Mission Statement • As the regional college of the Upper Peninsula, Northern is guided by the concept that higher education should be made available to all who have the ability to benefit from it and the desire to obtain it. • In the light of the educational needs of the day, Northern follows a philosophy of merging the liberal and the practical aspects of education, of providing and academic program rich in quality and at the same time expansive enough to serve the increasing numbers of students who come to the campus and to the hundreds of knowledge-seeking adults in the communities of the Northern Peninsula. 

27. Mission Statements (continued) Is this mission sufficient for NMU to thrive in 2015?