By: Neil Markee
Editor in Chief-Purchasing Link

We have just elected and installed a corporate CEO as Chief Executive Officer of the USA despite the pre- and post-election polls showing roughly half of U.S. voters would rather have someone else. An unnamed “other,” I guess, but apparently not the other major candidate in the race.  Donald Trump won the contest laid out by the U.S. Constitution, despite the many polls and predictions of TV talking heads and print reporters covering the political scene. Presumably, these people are the best educated, best qualified, they know how to count electoral votes in this specialized area—but they got it wrong. Political analyses took a hit this year. Clearly, many people were disappointed with the national election process, which they apparently saw as producing something of a Hobson’s Choice.  Since the election, the most common national media headlines and topics have asked what happened and where do we go from here?

What has this to do with the business side of higher education? Potentially a great deal, I think. A Wall Street Journal (1/17/17) titled “The New Landscape” included an image of President Trump standing on a stone jetty, leaning on a cane, and with a (presumably embroidered) red cap in his other hand, looking out over a fog-shrouded tumultuous sea. Higher education navigates on that sea.  The subhead was “In the wake of a tumultuous year, globalists survey a world of uncertainty.”  That certainty applies to us. The leadership of every government agency we deal with will change and, likely, many policies will.  Detectives follow the money and much of how that is allocated and spent on campus is influenced by business affairs and procurement. 

 Many inches of column space have been devoted to explaining Trump’s rhetoric without adding much understanding.   Not all the headlines were critical or pessimistic at first glance, but none I read were supportive. For example, in a lengthy article in the Chronicle of Higher Education by Peter Schmidt, headed,” For Some Advocates, Trump Presidency Raises Hopes,” not many of the hopes mentioned are likely to be seen as positives by many on campus.  If Chronicle articles accurately reflect the views of the academic community, it’s clear the election outcome was not anticipated or welcomed by that community.   There wasn’t much published reaction from the business side of the house, although many of the mentioned changes could have substantial impact on budgets, sources of funding and spending. 

What is likely to change?   Very few days into the new administration, in truth, nobody knows.   Some of the same people who were confident in predicting the outcome are now sharing their views on the likely direction of the new administration.   Several have referred to Trump’s lack of experience with higher education beyond his student days at Princeton and Penn. With some pointing out the same could be said for all presidents since Wilson, with the exception of Eisenhower, who spent some time as Columbia University’s President.  None of the observation published to date have added much light. It’s wait and see, I guess.   

Trump’s background is in private business and I think it’s more than likely he and his administration will evaluate the management of colleges and universities from a business perspective.  “Businesslike” is not seen as an appropriate model on many campuses but, in recent years, since the computerization of business processes and the use of data analytics in the routine course of institutional management, businesslike thinking has become an established trend. Even some academic matters are among higher education activities commonly discussed in terms likely to be familiar to business leaders in the commercial sector. Although the precise definition of “businesslike” in the new regime is not yet clear, we will probably see the established rate of change pick up a bit as federal appointees with significant experience in the business world become more involved in the national administration and seek to interact with the leadership of higher education.

Performance audits and cost/benefit evaluations are likely to become more visible and important aspects of decision making in every area, as government strives to rein in the growing cost of higher education.  What is our degree worth in comparison to those offered by other institutions within our system or regionally or nationally?   What can we do on the cost side to make attending our institution more attractive? Has anyone ever sat down and rationally examined what we offer?   Tough questions of this sort are not rare among commercial business. 

The new administration may see students as customers and, as in the commercial sector, entitled to a stronger voice in the content of the service offered for sale. Maybe taxpayers should be treated as stock holders, as they do provide much of the money invested in the program.  A businesslike administration on campus, supported by Washington, may well grant them a role in shaping policy, including curriculum on campus.  A fundamental change in governance philosophy is likely to alter just about every aspect of higher education as we know it, including procurement.

What about within procurement?  Maybe procurement will become a more interesting, challenging and rewarding pursuit, delivering a more valuable level of service in a businesslike environment. More transparency and public accountable is likely to follow.  Increased oversight is probably inevitable if Buy American becomes a government policy.  As personnel officers pay more attention to the legal status of staff, procurement officers may have to pay more attention to the emigration status of the employees of suppliers.  Businesslike management will probably result in shifting spending authority to the business side of the house and, although not popular everywhere on campus, may be inevitable if it’s thought to facilitate the achievement of t he institution’s basic goals. If that’s the case, procurement officers may be seen as key advisors to the chief business officer in areas other than the technical aspects of procurement, as they participate in cost/benefit considerations.  

Overall, at this point, there have been more questions than answers. But some writers have been willing to express an opinion.  One article in the Chronicle of Higher Education  (1/13/17) asked, “What’s In, What’s Out for College as Trump Takes Office? “Another in the 1/20/17 issue saw, “Unchartered Waters for Higher Education in Trump Era”.  Most of the articles I have seen to date in the national media and in the Chronicle have been negative, maybe even hostile.  For example, “What’s in, What’s Out” lists seventeen changes, nine “outs” and eight “ins.” I think it’s fair to say that none were likely to be welcomed with open arms by higher education.  One of the “outs” in the article mentioned caught my attention because the picture is painted with a very broad brush and I thought its message a bit over the top.  (See below.). 

Title IX enforcement on sexual assault.  It won’t go away completely, of course. But it’s hard to imagine the next administration adopting the same aggressive posture taken by the current one, considering how Republicans, would-be Trump insiders, and even some colleges feel about the approach over the past several years.  Ditto for protecting the rights of gay and transgender people.”

A variety of approaches have been adopted by individual colleges and universities and I doubt anyone knows how Republicans or Trump supporters coast to coast feel about any one of them.   If there is one opinion held by a significant fraction of Americans paying attention to the issue, it may be that we have not yet found an approach that works.  Some people believe colleges and universities are trying to keep the process in house to minimize adverse publicity. Sexual assault is a very serious crime, and how we handle misconduct in this area involving faculty, students and staff has become a major issue in the national media. It’s not going away.  I suspect most Americans, including Republicans, would support a law and order approach, reporting the suspected crime to the authorities, and then providing legal and other support to all students involved—while cooperating with the authorities and observing normal constitutional guarantees.  I haven’t seen any indications that the new administration or Republicans would support withholding justice in this area. Although this is probably a too-hot-to-handle topic within the private legal community, what little I have seen seems to show a concern over the lack of appropriate legal process.   

Almost certainly, what’s next will be a topic of discussion on campus with senior decision-makers trying to understand the options available and seeking useful input from their staff.  To productively participate in the ongoing discussion, procurement officers and other business leaders will need to understand all aspects of the situation as it applies to higher education and to the environment on their campus.  Where can you get the information you need to stay current?  Your NAEP peers at other institutions are an outstanding source.  The Chronicle of Higher Education can help us better understand faculty views, and the national media is probably the best source of information concerning thinking in the nation’s capitol and within the business community.

That’s what I think. What’s happening on your campus?

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How to Donate Prizes for Scholarship Committee Raffle

The NAEP Scholarship Committee will once again host a prize raffle to benefit NAEP scholarships, including the Nancy Tregoe Scholarship, the Sons & Daughters Scholarships, and the Haas Memorial Scholarship.  We are soliciting items including FitBits, e-readers, signed sports memorabilia from your athletic department, and other fun items. Let NAEP know what you will bring. You can drop off your items at the registration desk in Reno. The raffle will be located in the exhibit hall and raffle tickets will available for purchase.

Arrive at Hotel by 6:00 p.m. Sunday for Host Event

Our Host Committee Event will take place on Sunday, March 26 at “Edge,” the fashionable nightclub in the Peppermill Resort. Greet old friends and meet new ones as you enjoy hors d’oeuvres, beverages and live music from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in this unique indoor/outdoor location.

Tuesday, March 28 is Wear Your School Colors Day!

Lighten up and brighten up the third day of our Annual Meeting by wearing your school colors—tee shirt, cap, earmuffs, whatever works for you.  This is a sure way to trigger a few chuckles, compliments and conversations among your colleagues.

Community Service Project

Also, we will collect coats, of all sizes, from attendees to donate to a family shelter run by Volunteers of America -Northern California & Northern Reno chapter in Reno. You may either bring your gently used coats with you to the meeting or ship them to arrive by March 3 to the NAEP National Office.

For shipping information, please email here.

Tours of Lake Tahoe & the Surrounding Area

NAEP has partnered with the local destination management company to provide add-on tours of the area to enhance your experience in Reno. Take time on Wednesday evening or stay the full day on Thursday to enjoy tours to Lake Tahoe  (45 minutes away) or historic Virginia City. Click here to see the available tour options and pricing. Please note that registration is with Convention Activities, Reno's oldest destination management company, and not with NAEP. Tours require a minimum participation number and could be cancelled if that number is not met.

Keynote Speakers

Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour went from beat cop to combat pilot in three years. Within months of earning her wings, she was flying over the deserts of Iraq, supporting our country’s ground forces. After serving two tours overseas, she had become America’s first African –American, female, combat pilot. After returning home, she realized that many other people wanted to create breakthroughs in their own lives, they just didn’t know how. From her experiences, she created a 7-step process called the Zero to Breakthrough™ Success Plan. She now travels extensively sharing this message through her keynotes, coaching and seminars.

Just Announced: Our Tuesday Keynote Speaker is Steve Gilliland

A member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, Steve Gilliland is one of the most in-demand and top-rated speakers in the world. Recognized as a master storyteller and brilliant comedian, he can be heard daily on SiriusXM Radio’s Laugh USA. With an appeal that transcends barriers of age, culture and occupation—plus an interactive and entertaining style—Steve shows audiences how to open doors to success in their careers, their relationships and their lives. Presenting to over 250,000 people a year, more than two million have now heard him speak, with audiences encompassing nearly three-dozen industries. Steve has the distinction of speaking in all 50 states and in 15 countries. As one newspaper stated, “Steve is what happens when the humor of a stand-up comic collides with the inspiration of motivational speaker.”

Jeff Johnson is an award-winning journalist, communications specialist, and thought leader. As President of the Baltimore-based firm JIJ Communications, he works with clients to develop strategy, solutions, and content that merge effective tradition with innovative methodology for the purpose of positive change and market impact. He has a gift of creating non-traditional partnerships and progressive eco-systems by utilizing meaningful relationships developed in the entertainment, non-profit, and government sectors.

TOAL Annual Meeting & Exposition
9/24/2017 - 9/27/2017
Tulsa, Oklahoma

District VI Conference & Expo
9/24/2017 - 9/27/2017
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Kentucky Regional Meeting
9/24/2017 - 9/26/2017
Berea, Kentucky

Great Lakes Regional Meeting
9/27/2017 - 9/29/2017
Champaign, Illinois

District II Conference & Expo
10/15/2017 - 10/18/2017
Atlantic City, New Jersey

New England Fall Regional Conference
10/22/2017 - 10/25/2017
Newport, Rhode Island

Carolinas Regional Meeting
11/12/2017 - 11/15/2017
Asheville, North Carolina