A leading scholar and critic of U.S. higher education will be the keynote speaker at an April 2 event at the Lodge.
Richard Vedder, director, Center for College Affordability and Productivity, and distinguished professor of economics at Ohio University, will talk about the cost of college in the U.S. and growing concerns about its economic sustainability. His speech is sponsored by the Department of Political Science, the Center for the Study of Government, and the Individual and the Program for Preserving a Free and Prosperous Society. It begins at 6 p.m. and admission is free. Parking is available in lot 7. To attend, please register at http://app.bombbomb.com/app/form/?form_id=20bd6aef-4d65-460c-81f0-ca862067f6f0.
“If higher education is the next financial bubble, what will happen if it bursts?” Joshua Dunn, associate professor, Department of Political Science, recently asked. “This lecture by the nation’s leading expert on the economics of higher education will explore these potential consequences and what universities can do to promote a sustainable, cost-effective education those who need it.”
Vedder is the author of “Going Broke by Degree: Why College Costs Too Much.” In his book, Vedder argues that rising college costs and declining quality of U.S. college educations are the result of government subsidies and a lack of market stimulus.
The Center for College Affordability and Productivity directed by Vedder is “dedicated to researching the rising costs and stagnant efficiency in higher education, with special emphasis on the United States. CCAP seeks to facilitate a broader dialogue on the issues and problems facing the institutions of higher education with the public, policy makers, and the higher education community.”
The center’s research agenda includes student financial aid policy, rising college costs, higher education inefficiencies, productivity of staff and faculty members, for-profit higher education and accreditation.
Faculty in the Department of Political Science wanted to bring Vedder to campus because of continuing discussions about the funding of higher education and the increasing role of tuition. The role of student debt when pursuing job careers in certain fields is also a concern.
“The problem of high tuition is already starting to affect law schools which have seen a precipitous decline in applications because of poor job prospects for graduates,” Dunn said. “Personally, I thought Dr. Vedder would be a nice fit for us since rising tuition is a concern in Colorado and compared to many institutions UCCS has done a good job in keeping tuition low.”
For more information about the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, visit http://centerforcollegeaffordability.org/
To see Vedder participating in a panel discussion about for profit education, visit
Leave a Reply