Personal Development

Prediction: University.net — Subscription Model for Colleges and Universities

Revised: 4/4/07 @ 1:34pm MST

I saw a bumper-sticker the other day that said:

“Education is what’s left over when you forgot everything you learned in school.”

I have a problem with that.

There’s no question that, in the flat world, education is becoming as much a commodity as cheap groceries, ipods, tax return services, and even jobs.

Yet, while colleges and universities are getting savvy to online courses and so-called continuing education*, they’re missing the boat, in my opinion, in keeping their graduates more captive, and not just letting them out into the world with nothing more than an annual “give us money” postcard or the occasional “newsletter”, which is actually a slightly-less thinly veiled request for more donations than the postcard (just got one yesterday, btw).

Some schools do a good job of networking among the alumni, get access to alumni databases, job boards, and allowing alumni to keep their email addresses (which is a great branding strategy when your grads go out into the work world), etc… but they don’t do a good job of keeping the alumni learning, and keeping them engaged with resources at the school that will help them further their careers and/or better their communities, etc.

In short, why aren’t schools trying to keep their students “around” for their whole lives, rather than just four quick years, once in their life.

Sure, the college I attended has online courses in things I would be very interested in. My company even would pay my tuition to take those classes. I have even gone online to sign up a few times.

But, something about the process is obviously too hard… or I *would* have done it by now.
What about a monthly subscription model for alumni from schools? Instead of asking me for a once a year donation, why not ask me for a monthly subscription?

• Take a percentage of my fee and invest it into the school of my choice so I feel like I am “giving back”.
• Take some of the burden off full-time student tuition with some of that being carried by subscribing alumni.
• Don’t send me postcards that make me feel guilty. Send me ones that thank me for my continued support!
• Make it so DROP DEAD EASY for me to actually ENHANCE my education with you that I find myself constantly taking new or refresher courses through your school to improve my life, my community, etc.
• Maybe with my subscription fee, I get so many “free” credits I can use toward classes every year.
• Allow me to audit classes drop-dead easy
• Have someone manage my tuition reimbursement process FOR ME, engaging my company, so I don’t have to.
• Then, allow me to access premium services that other alumni wouldn’t have:
• Better selection of sports game tickets or campus amenities.
• Send me the occasional “U” sweatshirt (in my size, of course) or hat, emblazoned golf-balls or other schwag that I can show off.
• When life changes happen for me (marriage, baby, etc) send me stuff for my spouse or undergrad-to-be. (Maybe even information on a special college savings fund where you’ll match my donations if my child attends your school?)

The bottom-line? Choosing a university is about wanting to get the education you need to succeed in the future… who wouldn’t want to attend the university that will actually embrace their students for life, and help them succeed no matter what the future holds?
* Which is really a euphemism for “I didn’t finish my education”

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Tags: Commentary, Creative Ideas, Economic Outlook, Employee Performance, Networking, Retention, The Changing Job-Market