Life has changed in higher education and changed very rapidly. The value of most endowments, just like our portfolios and
401(k)s, has plummeted. Today, institutions with the strongest bottom lines are likely to be those with strong management
and business plans that work in today’s economy.
Indiana’s CollegeChoice 529 Plans offer a number of great investment options to save for children’s college costs.
The state’s two biggest pension funds are poised to combine into one Indiana Public Retirement System, with a single executive
director and board.
When I read the year-end statements from the 529 College Saving Plans I had established for the benefit of my grandchildren, I felt lower than a snake’s belly.
ISM Loans is waiting to re-enter markets after halting its lending, changing its leadership and cutting 100 workers.
Stimulus talk continues to dominate discussion at the Indiana Statehouse, creating indecision for lawmakers who were supposed to be devoting their full attention to assembling a two-year budget under difficult economic circumstances.
A state-funded study of Indiana’s charter schools has found that “no practical difference” exists between the alternative
schools and traditional public schools.
Unfortunately, there’s a major stumbling block to education beyond high school — too many people in the state simply
can’t afford it.
The Indiana Pacers and Ivy Tech Community College have teamed to offer six statewide scholarships to Ivy Tech students.
Tony Bennett, Indiana’s new superintendent of public instruction, says his priorities include restoring discipline to the
classroom, recruiting topnotch teachers and adequately compensating
them, increasing the percentage of education dollars spent directly on instruction, and reducing regulations so schools can
focus more on student instruction.
Most colleges and universities in central
Indiana are being especially frugal because the value of their university endowments has plunged along with the market,donations
may decrease, and enrollment may decline, due to lack of student loan availability.
ITT Educational Services Inc. and other for-profit schools are facing a maelstrom of financial threats that analysts say could
hurt student recruiting and profit margins–and already has driven stock prices down sharply. ITT shares are off 61 percent
since hitting an all-time high of $131.82 in November.
Endowments at Indiana colleges and universities are soaring, due in part to impressive investment returns in recent years.
The swelling coffers here and across the nation are stoking the debate over whether universities should be using more of their
wealth to hold down tuition increases.
The 7-year-old Lumina Foundation, formed as part of the sale of USA Group, is on a radical mission-to overhaul the way higher
education is funded in this country. The not-for-profit believes the nation’s economic future depends on making college more
affordable, and accessible.
