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Like all colleges and universities, Smith is affected by and connected to the world
beyond its campus in important and essential ways. Consequently, its planning
must be informed by and responsive to developments in society, the economy, science
and technology, and political life. As we look to the next decade, several
important trends emerge on the horizon that will both challenge the college and provide
opportunities for innovation.
Colleges and universities face important challenges as the result of shifting national
demographics. The geographical distribution of traditional college-age students
will continue to shift away from the northeast toward the south and west. The
population will become more diverse, with a significant decrease in the numbers of
Caucasian students and a significant increase in Latina students. The proportion
of women students will continue to grow.
Shifts in the age composition of the population, changing career patterns, and the
speed of technological and economic change will combine to increase the interest
in and demand for lifelong learning opportunities. In addition, students will increasingly
seek more flexible options for completing their undergraduate degrees, with less
focus on the four-year uninterrupted residential experience. The proportion
of students attending private liberal arts colleges likely will continue to shrink
as a share of the overall higher education market.
Economically, colleges and universities are likely to see a continuing decline in
public funding, in government research support, and in financial aid. Higher
education will increasingly be seen as an individual, not a public responsibility. Individual
institutions will face increasing budget pressure resulting from energy costs, health
insurance, and financial aid. Although public funding is expected to decrease,
public scrutiny and the demand for increased accountability from colleges and universities
is on the rise, particularly in the area of college costs and educational outcomes.
Finally, the next decade will continue to test the adaptability of colleges and
universities to the needs of a much smaller and more interconnected world. These
challenges will range from preparing students to understand issues from multiple
cultural perspectives to the economic ascendancy of Asia and its challenge to America’s
long-held pre-eminence in science and technology.
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Setting
the Context
External
trends
Admission &
financial aid
Academic program
Student life
Diversity
Financial & other resources
Important Issues
Facing Smith
Next Steps in the
Planning Process
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