College and the demographics cliff

We talked about this a bit in another thread, but there is about to be a sharp drop off in high school graduates thanks to the lower birth rates from the time of the recession at the close of the 2000s.

A lot more stories like this in the years to come.

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/l...ester/95-ded59e15-51e5-4638-84ec-529621b4c29b

The bill to close three of Mississippi’s public universities isn’t going anywhere, but eventually some of these schools will get the ax.

https://mississippitoday.org/2024/0...universities-says-it-has-slim-chance-to-pass/

 

If only there was a way we could get replacement students. Like if we call ourselves the Shining City on a Hill, and welcome people from other countries. Their kids could go to college.

 

New England has as a lot of small colleges. A lot have or will close in the next few years.

This download has a collection of articles about the subject.

https://www.neacac.org/assets/docs/Committees/Tough times for New England higher ed.pdf

It started before the pandemic as enrollment was already falling. This from August 2020.

Fighting for Survival | The Plight of Small New England Colleges

 

New England, which has seen zero population growth due to NIMBYism. You want young people, you have to give them a place to live. Connecticut is down tens of thousands of new housing units. Vermont is the same way. I’m
Sure Massachusetts is similar.

 

It’s a reason I think unemployment will remain relatively low even in downturns in this new era.

 

We lost a 93-year-old college in 2019. Several colleges in Vermont have shuttered the last 5 years.

 

Housing crisis in Vermont. if there aren’t enough homes for students, they can’t go to college.

Housing Crisis Is Slowing Vermont's Population Growth, Treasurer Says

Why a plan to build more UVM student housing in Burlington has been stalled for months

https://vtdigger.org/2023/04/09/vermonts-aging-homes-put-extra-strain-on-states-housing-crisis/

 

Sorry but you'll have to forgive me for not shedding a tear over the consolidation of the higher education racket in America.

 

Pennsylvania already merged several of its smaller public colleges into one uni.

 

And do not think this won't trickle down (trickle up?) to college sports in general. Fewer students, fewer players (football participation is already down). Ultimately, fewer people who give a crud. Hell, Notre Dame just announced they're closing!

https://www.cleveland.com/news/2024/02/notre-dame-college-to-close-after-spring-semester.html

if this isn't a "click-bait" HOF nominee, I don't know what is.

 

I teach at a private R1, and it received more applications for next year than ever before. Administration is worried about the upcoming demographic shift, but it hasn't hit us yet.