Comments on: Why Higher Ed is Always a Step Behind

By: chas

chas — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:33:52 +0000

@jess – Priorities are important. It’s easy to get drawn in by shiny toys, but it’s more important to have the basics down first. And more than anything, we need all of these tactics to be strategy-driven.

@gilzow – good point. That’s something we battle at Notre Dame. It’s especially tough since the legal world hasn’t kept up with the online world and we end up holding ourselves back because there’s no precedent and it seems “risky.”

By: Gilzow

Gilzow — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:18:05 +0000

Excellent points. One hurdle/reason I would add to the list, especially for larger schools, is legal.

By: Jess

Jess — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:09:54 +0000

I’d also add: priorities. People seem to want to do the next best thing, the cool new toy, but focus needs to be put on things that need to be up to speed before that. For instance: your web site.

@Jesskry

By: Mike McCready

Mike McCready — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:23:17 +0000

These points are so true. I’m a Gen-X and in a new role as the Web Services Manager at Lethbridge College. I think it also, as chas said, has to happen at the ground level. This is quite often more difficult to sell as many people just are focused on their world, and not the larger picture.

By: chas

chas — Thu, 07 May 2009 01:59:33 +0000

Definitely. ND can be a very decentralized place, as are many schools. Change has to happen on the ground level, not necessarily as an administrative edict.

Of course, the dramatic shift is already happening – as millennials and Gen-Xers take on leadership roles they are bringing the change with them. Our generation grew up with the technology and can more easily see the value of social media. I’m trying to accelerate this process by educating campus groups – they’re eager to learn and understand and start using the tools.

By: Garrett Kuk

Garrett Kuk — Wed, 06 May 2009 19:45:15 +0000

Hi Chas,

I like your points here, and wonder if a possible solution is individuals stepping into the mix to provide those connections via social media? I recently spoke to ND Club leaders at Alumni Senate about implementing Facebook groups and LinkedIn profiles to connect with locally with students and alumni. This somewhat bypasses the central/official channels and takes steps toward connecting the right people with one another.

In the absence of a dramatic shift in higher ed culture, are there other, more effective steps we can take?

Shameless plug: you can view my Alumni Senate presentation here http://garrettkuk.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/connecting-alumni-via-social-media/