Big institutions making higher education more accessible

In May, liberal think tank the New America Foundation hosted a forum titled The Next Generation University, focusing on the current success of large institutions despite recent slashing of state support for higher education. ASU was one of the six large institutions discussed in particular, along with the University of California, Riverside; the University of Central Florida; the University of Buffalo; the University of Texas at Arlington; and Georgia State University.

Times Higher Education mentioned the forum in a recent article about the large institution phenomenon. The article concludes that it is possible to increase access to higher education by attracting and retaining first-generation students and ensuring their success, even during a period of constrained resources, and quotes ASU President Michael Crow: “We define ourselves by who we enroll, not by who we exclude.”