ABSTRACT

With costs rising, traditional college student populations shrinking, and pundits predicting that huge numbers of colleges will close in the next few decades, small colleges cannot afford to pretend that business-as-usual can sustain them. This book offers five emerging models for how small colleges can hope to survive and thrive in these very challenging times: Traditional; Integrative; Distinctive Program; Expansion, and Distributed. In addition to offering practical guidance for colleges trying to decide which model is for them, the book includes brief institutional profiles of colleges pursuing each model. The book also addresses the evolving role of consortia and partnerships as an avenue to provide additional innovative ways to manage cost and develop new opportunities and programs while maintaining fidelity to mission and strategic vision.

chapter 1|8 pages

The Shifting Landscape

chapter 2|9 pages

From Survival to Sustainability

chapter 4|24 pages

Understanding the Traditional Model

chapter 5|20 pages

Understanding the Integrated Model

chapter 7|19 pages

Understanding the Expansion Model

chapter 9|10 pages

Choosing a Path

chapter |4 pages

Epilogue