The Innovative University

Chapter 14Disruptive Competition

For most universities, 2009 and 2010 were difficult years. Even those whose enrollments grew had to serve their new students on tighter budgets. In addition to financial pressure, there was new regulation. The Spellings Commission's 2006 calls for greater accountability stimulated and focused debate as Congress considered the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the main body of law through which the U.S. federal government funds higher education. In 2006, the reauthorization of the act was three years overdue. The delay reflected not only partisan politics but also dissatisfaction with the country's return on its higher education investment.

The terms of the reauthorization achieved in 2008, after ...