College in Maine Smarter Maine People Smarter Maine People Better Maine Jobs Brighter Maine Future.

College in MaineCollege in Maine

Smarter Maine PeopleSmarter Maine People

Better Maine JobsBetter Maine Jobs

Brighter Maine FutureBrighter Maine Future

Legislative Breakfast Legislative Breakfast 20072007 Maine Higher Education CouncilMaine Higher Education Council

Members of the Members of the MaineMaine Higher Education Council Higher Education Council

are:are: The Presidents of 33 public and private colleges The Presidents of 33 public and private colleges

and universities in Maineand universities in Maine

The Chancellor of the University of Maine The Chancellor of the University of Maine SystemSystem

The President of the Community College SystemThe President of the Community College System

The Commissioner of Education and the The Commissioner of Education and the Department of Education Director of School Department of Education Director of School Support SystemsSupport Systems


About Maine’sAbout Maine’sColleges and UniversitiesColleges and Universities

We service over 64,000 studentsWe service over 64,000 students 75% of our students are from Maine75% of our students are from Maine Our campuses are located in all Our campuses are located in all

reaches of the statereaches of the state Students all over the world are taking Students all over the world are taking

thousands of web-based credit hours thousands of web-based credit hours from Maine colleges and universitiesfrom Maine colleges and universities


Benefits toBenefits toMaine’s Economy…Maine’s Economy…

We provide nearly 14,000 jobsWe provide nearly 14,000 jobs And an additional 5100 work-study jobsAnd an additional 5100 work-study jobs Wages and salaries = $500 million annuallyWages and salaries = $500 million annually Combined operating budgets total nearly Combined operating budgets total nearly

$800 million$800 million 30% goes to purchase goods and services 30% goes to purchase goods and services

directly from Maine vendorsdirectly from Maine vendors


More Benefits toMore Benefits toMaine’s Economy…Maine’s Economy…

Nearly $200 million in capital projects Nearly $200 million in capital projects currently under constructioncurrently under construction

Approximately $65 million drawn to Approximately $65 million drawn to Maine annually for R&D projectsMaine annually for R&D projects

Out of state students bring $ with themOut of state students bring $ with them Colleges and Universities contribute Colleges and Universities contribute

dollars and services at the local leveldollars and services at the local level


Dollars and “Sense” Dollars and “Sense” for the Individual…for the Individual…

College graduates earn about $1 million more College graduates earn about $1 million more over a lifetime than those who are only high over a lifetime than those who are only high school graduatesschool graduates

Associate degree holders earn 17% moreAssociate degree holders earn 17% more Bachelor degree holders earn 49% moreBachelor degree holders earn 49% more Advanced degree holders earn 205% moreAdvanced degree holders earn 205% more


Dollars and “Sense” Dollars and “Sense” for Maine’s Economy…for Maine’s Economy…

As earnings rise, unemployment fallsAs earnings rise, unemployment falls Increased earnings translate into higher tax Increased earnings translate into higher tax

revenues and increased spendingrevenues and increased spending


We’re A Very Stable Industry We’re A Very Stable Industry in an Unstable Economy…in an Unstable Economy…

Higher education jobs are projected to Higher education jobs are projected to grow nearly 23% through 2012grow nearly 23% through 2012

Enrollments are upEnrollments are up Higher education is one industry where Higher education is one industry where

employment and enrollments tend to employment and enrollments tend to increase even in economic hard times increase even in economic hard times


So What Are We Worried So What Are We Worried About?About?

Not enough Maine residents go to collegeNot enough Maine residents go to college Many of those that do are not “college Many of those that do are not “college

ready”ready” Workforce needs are changing, forcing Workforce needs are changing, forcing

colleges and universities to adapt quicklycolleges and universities to adapt quickly More competition for fewer studentsMore competition for fewer students Increased federal scrutinyIncreased federal scrutiny


Not EnoughNot EnoughMaine Residents Go To Maine Residents Go To

CollegeCollege Maine has one of the top high Maine has one of the top high

school completion rates in the school completion rates in the country, but only 50% go on to country, but only 50% go on to collegecollege


Many High School Many High School Graduates Are Not College Graduates Are Not College

ReadyReady 42% of first-year students are 42% of first-year students are

unprepared for collegeunprepared for college Remediation costs BILLIONS of Remediation costs BILLIONS of

dollarsdollars Remediation hurts Retention & Remediation hurts Retention &

Graduation Rates Graduation Rates


Post-Secondary EducationPost-Secondary Education

0 1 3 or >

56

34

18

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

% Students

# Remedial Courses

6 Year Graduation Rates

Source: Kirst, M. (2004). The high school/college disconnect. Educational Leadership, 62(3), 51-55.


Increased Federal ScrutinyIncreased Federal Scrutiny

The Commission on the Future of The Commission on the Future of Higher Education released its report Higher Education released its report in September 2006in September 2006

Secretary Spellings priorities Secretary Spellings priorities include:include:– Preparing students better for collegePreparing students better for college– Addressing the affordability issueAddressing the affordability issue– Holding colleges “accountable” for Holding colleges “accountable” for

student records and outcome datastudent records and outcome data


What We’re Doing…What We’re Doing… Working collaboratively with each other, Working collaboratively with each other,

Maine Readiness Campaign, DOE and others Maine Readiness Campaign, DOE and others to improve college readiness in Maineto improve college readiness in Maine

Being accountable for college academic Being accountable for college academic progress through the accreditation and progress through the accreditation and assessment process.assessment process.

Communicating about:Communicating about: Who we are and why Maine is the best location for Who we are and why Maine is the best location for

educationeducation What courses a student needs to be ready for What courses a student needs to be ready for

collegecollege How to apply and pay for collegeHow to apply and pay for college


What Maine LegislatorsWhat Maine LegislatorsCan Do…Can Do…

Invest in higher education at every opportunityInvest in higher education at every opportunity Advertise the superior quality, diversity, and Advertise the superior quality, diversity, and

importance of Maine’s colleges and universitiesimportance of Maine’s colleges and universities Keep long-term benefits in mind when making Keep long-term benefits in mind when making

short-term budget decisionsshort-term budget decisions Pass the Revised Maine Learning ResultsPass the Revised Maine Learning Results


Thank you!Thank you!

College in Maine Smarter Maine People Smarter Maine People Better Maine Jobs Brighter Maine Future.

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