Growing fears over US higher education’s future

More than four in ten trustees are very concerned about the future of the US higher education sector, an increase of 14 percent from 2018, a new poll has found. The Trustee Index, commissioned by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and College (AGB), also found a majority are worried about the future financial sustainability of their own institutions or systems (38 percent) and the price of higher education for students (25 percent). “It requires a considerable investment of time to stay abreast of change and challenges in the business model and changes in student needs and expectations,” said Merrill Schwartz, AGB senior vice president to Inside Higher Ed. “I’ve been working at AGB for over 20 years, and I’ve seen a real change over this period of time from trusteeship being an honorific position for many to a serious commitment and calling.”