The Q-List:  A Faculty Fellows Research Agenda for the Profession

Cost of Higher Education

Various national reports and the proposed report card for higher education (e.g., Measuring Up, 2006) identify access, completion, and affordability as three major areas of concern for higher education. An argument can be made for a strong relationship among the three. Another area of concern, raised in particular by critics of higher education, is the notion of a value-added educational experience, i.e., that the experiences students have while in college provide them a greater value beyond that which was expected.

1. How is the cost of attending college affecting the amount of time students can devote to their learning and/or pursuing learning opportunities? How do concerns about paying for college affect students' ability to be engaged in campus and academic life?
2. How do student concerns about college affordability affect the mix of student affairs services, programs, and policies?
3. What types of college experiences are more beneficial to students in times of personal and institutional financial constraints? What programs are already in place and what practices best serve these students' needs?
4. What is the role of student affairs educators in supporting timely (perhaps accelerated) progress toward graduation?
5. How does the under-resourced nature of community colleges impact their student affairs programs given the increasing enrollments in these often more affordable institutions?