Today's Campus, Overheards

Taking Stock

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 06:00:00 GMT

It has been interesting to watch the reaction to my blogs on higher education each week. Almost all of the comments have been useful. As expected, some deal with the specifics of the topic – the role of alumni and trustees, the need for stronger career centers, and how the election will shape the future direction of higher education – to name a few. Other readers speak more narrowly along political and ideological lines. I thought it might be interesting this week to take stock of what we learned.

Q&A with Jeff Wendt: Do Not Click, , Do Not Click

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:00:00 GMT

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Trace Urdan with Wells Fargo Securities. As Trace sat down with us in Las Vegas, he discussed current events with us, including the government’s regulatory involvement in the sector, competition from the traditional sector in the marketplace, and of course, hopes for the future of the education sector. Trace also went into a little more detail about his personal opinions regarding laudable efforts to improve regulations, as well as the current economy and its impending implications. We had a great time chatting with Trace, and thank him for taking the time to speak with us at APSCU 2012.

Q&A with Jeff Wendt: Jami Morshed, , Three Rivers Systems

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 05:30:00 GMT

At APSCU 2012, we were excited to have the opportunity to speak with Jami Morshed, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at Three Rivers Systems, touted as “The only truly disruptive academic ERP serving higher education.” And how exactly is Three Rivers Systems disruptive? According to Jami, by coming into an established market but offering innovative technology that can change the order of business, Three Rivers Systems is able to essentially do what Netflix did to Blockbuster. We asked Jami what it takes to adopt these systems for schools, the implementation process the process, and which establishments can benefit most from Three Rivers Systems services. As Jami says, institutions are often bogged down by tasks that don’t advance their original purpose—to educate the public—and Three Rivers Systems seeks to help institutions focus on that important goal. We enjoyed our chat with Jami, and appreciated him taking the time to chat with us. Bogged down with tasks other than their original purpose—to educate students.

Q&A with Jeff Wendt: Do Not Click, , Do Not Click

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 05:30:00 GMT

Does he really need an introduction? What’s a visit to Vegas without the King himself—Elvis! Elvis stopped by at APSCU 2012 to say hello, and even serenade us! We thank Elvis for stepping in front of the camera with us-- Viva Las Vegas!

Q&A with Jeff Wendt: Do Not Click, , Do Not Click

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 04:30:00 GMT

LeadiD had a unique vision to allow Lead Buyers (Schools, Agencies, and Aggregators) and Lead Sellers (Organic Lead Providers, Call Centers and Aggregators) to operate in a trusted environment. The LeadiD Platform has been developed in collaboration with lead providers and lead buyers to provide an independent neutral technology. LeadiD allows Lead Sellers to definitively prove that they are generating and selling authentic quality leads. LeadiD allows Lead Buyers to make the best decisions about the leads they buy based on the true history and origin of the lead. For an easy analogy, think of LeadiD as the issuing agency of an auto VIN number, a Universal LeadiD, combined with the definitive data of the CarFax Report, a LeadiD Audit. Founded in January 2011, LeadiD traces its roots to conceptual conversations as early as 2007, when industry insiders and influencers began discussing how to solve the last fundamental problem in lead generation.

Q&A with Jeff Wendt: Do Not Click, , Do Not Click

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:00:00 GMT

We continue to discover a whole host of opportunities related to "the cloud". DuraSpace's DuraCloud service represents perhaps one of the most valuable innovations I've heard to date--particularly if you are a college or university and you are trying to protect the wealth of digital assets produced by your institution. I spoke with Michele Kimpton, CEO of DuraSpace, about how her organization is improving the preservation of digital assets and reducing the cost at the same time.

The career education scandals have brewed a perfect storm for Federalization

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 10:45:00 GMT

Washington policy makers are preparing to re-engineer some (or most) of U.S. higher education. They may actually have all the ammunition they need to do so. By Jeff Wendt.

Overheard at at the Consumer Bankers Assn

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:45:00 GMT

Under new leadership the Consumer Bankers Association combined several of its annual meetings and workshops into one spring meeting. Among the 780 attendees were the bankers and lenders who still make up a considerably slimmer student loan industry. Many attendees found the wider-than-customary mix of retail banking sessions enlightening. Others did not appreciate the distraction from student loans.

Overheard on PBS. The Frontline episode entitled "College, Inc."

Thu, 06 May 2010 08:35:00 GMT

A prime-time PBS television show brought for-profit higher education into American living rooms. Its brands, business practices and several personalities were on view. Here are some informative and entertaining excerpts.

Overheard at AACRAO's annual conference.

Tue, 27 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The American Assn of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers held their annual conference in New Orleans in April. Some 2,200 members attended. They had much to hear and much to learn. Here's a goodly sample.

Overheard at the NACAC conference

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 07:45:00 GMT

These snippets from the last National Association for College Admission Counseling conference caught our readers' attention in October 2009. With fall admissions completed, everyone's attention turned to effective strategy and tactics for an upcoming year of expected high unemployment and dampened prosperity.

Overheard at AACRAO SEM

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:46:00 GMT

The 600 people who attended this conference and the sessions designed for them illustrate how difficult a job enrollment management is. It takes commitment and support from the campus executive suite. It takes hard work. And it takes talent. Listen in on what the talent heard and said in Dallas in November 2009.

Overheard at EDUCAUSE

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:45:00 GMT

Some 3,800 IT practitioners returned to Denver for the year's big IT show. The convention center was abuzz with talk about Twitter, cloud computing, and something new on the internet called 'the federation.' Another 1,000 people followed the premier proceedings online in real time. And 2,600 exhibitor personnel were on hand to tend to the buying needs of any attendees with shopping lists.

Overheard at Sloan-C

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:45:00 GMT

As the audiences of other conferences decline in numbers, Sloan-C hit a new peak near 1,500 this year. Among the many online educators were a growing number of entrepreneurs. So many, in fact, online education bears many of the trappings of an American Gold Rush. Meanwhile, take a peek at what other conference was in full bloom right next door at the same Orlando hotel.

Overheard at Greening of the Campus VIII

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 05:00:01 GMT

Sustainability directors took pleasure in progress being made, but also took a hard look at areas that need improvement. Like existing buildings, laboratories and athletics, the campus energy hogs, and endowment investments. Take two minutes to "hear" highlights from the three-day conference.

NACUBO Annual Conference

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Several themes dominated the eight program tracks at the National Association of College and University Business Officers annual conference.

Overheard at the Career College Association Annual Conference

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As soon as you checked in at this conference, you were well aware that career colleges are prospering. The upbeat pace of the sessions and the busy, engaged audience made the event a real success.

Sustainability meets adult education

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT