edu-Impact | college & university economic impact portal

This New York Times article from June 2 reports that some of the nation's largest banks, such as Citibank, have plans to cut loans to students primarily at community colleges and at some 4-year institutions. Will these cuts impact communities and economies on a larger scale, or will the impacts be experienced mainly on an individual level?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/02/business/02loans.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slo...

Seeing opportunities in markets like China and the middle East, U.S. universities -- including New York University, Cornell and the Rochester Institute of Technology -- are opening campuses abroad. The article notes that this opens up new markets (and revenue streams) for the universities. It could also help to solidify ties with foreign students who might go on to pursue graduate degrees or jobs in the U.S.

[Link to the New York Times]

This New York Times article discusses the cost to families of visiting prospective colleges and universities, and how visiting multiple campuses can begin to add up.

Are there ways in which higher education institutions can partner with local businesses, particularly hotels and restaurants, to both minimize the cost of visiting a campus and also benefit local businesses?

[Link to New York Times]

This New York Times article discusses the decision by administrators at some U.S. colleges and universities to refuse money for student groups and faculty research from the tobacco maker Philip Morris and its parent company, the Altria Group.

Should it be the decision of college and university administrators or faculty members and student groups to refuse money on ethical grounds?

[Link to New York Times]

On February 7th, the Chronicle of Higher Education is hosting an online Brown Bag to discuss how colleges and universities can develop strategies to work with the local economy. Here is a description of the Brown Bag, "Building An Economic-Development Strategy," from the Chronicle's website:

A recent New York Times article discusses the growing popularity of job or internship requirements at colleges and universities across the nation. Connecting students to local businesses and organizations might further encourage graduates to stay in the local community after graduation. How else do job and internship requirements impact the local economy? [Link to New York Times]

Dowling College plans to build more than 1,000 units in 2008-09 for students to live in after they graduate. This is an interesting way to help students find housing after graduation, and a great way to keep them in the local economy. [Link to New York Times]

New York University is working with its neighbors to come to some kind of agreement about how it expands into the Greenwich Village community. [Link to New York Times]

This New York Times article from January 27th touches upon some of the cultural, historical, and architectural contributions of the Ciudad Universitaria to Mexico City. [Link to New York Times]

In January 2008, Montreal's Concordia University launched a blog for 4 international students to share their experiences both as international students and as Concordia students. Other colleges and universities should consider introducing such a tool at their own institutions. An international student blog could be particularly useful at U.S institutions to help potential international students navigate the complex and often difficult visa process in the U.S. It could also serve as an additional form of recruitment.