05/20/16 Glenn Cummings, USM President
Posted by Bob Martin
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Glenn Cummings, President of the University of Southern Maine, shared his perspectives on the value of college education and the progress underway at Maine’s second largest campus. Pointing to a largely unrecognized watershed moment for America, Glenn said that in 1984 Canada moved past the U.S. in terms of the percent of the country’s population with a college degree. Since then, the U.S. percentage of college-educated adults has continued to decline below that of key global competitors, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Today, he said that about 39 percent of Americans hold a college degree.
Glenn did acknowledge during the Q&A that student readiness for college remains a real challenge among graduating high school students. He also said that the “WDF rate", reflecting those who "Withdraw, Drop, or Fail" in certain high-stakes courses, remains high, at 40 to 45 percent in physics, organic chemistry, and higher math. Addressing this issue, USM is making a particular effort to help individual students succeed in the daunting prerequisite courses that are the gateways to certain majors.
Cummings said his thinking has been influenced by Michael Crow, former Executive Provost of Columbia University, who has been outspoken on the practice of many colleges and universities becoming increasingly selective in their admissions decisions. Crow is now President of Arizona State University where he has instituted policies that have increased enrollment from 40,000 students to over 70,000. He recently authored the book, The New American University (Johns Hopkins University Press 2015). “My goal for USM,” Glenn said, “is to be the 'University of Everyone.' That will make a difference in this state.”
Cummings reported on the progress made at USM during the last year—applications were up 19 percent; admissions increased by 13 percent; deposits—confirmations of attendance—are up 22 percent, and, the number of out-of-state students will increase 22 percent. “Our projected budget is balanced without any help from the system office, and we forecast a zero budget gap by 2018.”
He identified three major areas of emphasis in the effort to improve USM as part of the vision for student success. “We asked students who turned us down, how can we become a better university? What would make you come here?” He said the first priority is to demonstrate connectedness with students— “show we care about success and you are welcome.” The second focus is on affordability. “We are redesigning our financial aid package and have an advancement plan underway to raise $50 million in scholarship aid.”
“Finally, we are working hard on our value proposition. We are a metropolitan university in the best small city in America.” Cummings said there was growing optimism and excitement on campus. Challenges remain, he said, with faculty, engaging new markets, and taking care of deferred capital improvements.