The course, a graduate seminar, is designed around class discussion built upon the reading materials. It is expected that students will complete the readings in advance of the lecture thus leading to a challenging discussion period. As lecturer, I will facilitate classroom discussion by addressing the major assumptions, hypothesis and findings of the required readings. Finally, I hope that students from various disciplines and professional experiences will add an additional philosophical and experiential dimension to the classroom discourse.

An integral component of the course is to read, analyze and discuss a wide variety of theoretical, empirical, and descriptive higher educational articles, policies, and news stories. In addition to the traditional materials, the course has incorporated the use of the world web site (WWW) information in most lectures. Together, students will be expected to read the required readings and review WWW sites.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students are expected to read assigned chapters and articles, and review suggested worldwide web sites as required.

2. Students are expected to do what is necessary outside of class meetings to complete assignments.

3. Students are expected to be prepared each day to actively participate in classroom and group discussions addressing multiple issues
    presented in the readings.

4. Students are expected to complete a mid-term examination (take home) designed to address the theoretical foundations and structural differences
    in American higher education systems.

5. Students are expected to participate in a group project to be presented to the class near the end of the course (10-15 single-spaced pages/ groups
    should consist of 3-4 individuals). Each group will select one state and present a paper detailing how public resources are allocated to institutions
    of higher education. As part of this assignment, it is anticipated that you will present your findings and information describing funding formula(s),
    fiscal reform initiatives, expenditure and revenue trends, and enrollment management challenges, tuition policies, and any other financial
    characteristics impacting postsecondary education in the state.

6. Students are expected to complete one 3-5 page “issues paper.” Design a paper focusing on one of the financial challenges impacting colleges and
    universities today.  The issues paper must clearly articulate (a) the problem and context; (b) possible solutions; (c) advantages and disadvantages;
   (d) your recommendations.

GRADING:

The final grade assessing individual student performance in the Higher Education Finance (490HEF) course is based on the following criteria:

1. Participation and quality of group writing project and team presentation to the class (30%).
2. Individual “Issues” paper (25%).
3. Mid-term examination (25%).
4. Participation in classroom discussions and reading assignments (20%).

The instructor will use a 0-100 grade point scale for all course assignments.
A       94-100
A-      90-93
B+     87-89
B       84-86
B-      80-83
C+     77-79
C       74-76
C-      70-73
D+     67-69
D       64-66
D-      60-63
F        60>

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