Schools in the business of education
Interesting article on the internet today...
Sounds like Fort Hays State University is looking at newer, more modern ways to get people quality education for an affordable price. Hmmm, and that's bad? Isn't the job of the university to do exactly that? Deal with scarce resources (eg. time, money, talent) and get the most out of it?
In my dealings with Universities and Colleges I see many things. One of the things I see constantly is this very struggle at many of my customers. What are they really in the business of? "Isn't it obvious, it says 'University' right in their name, Dave?"
Ummm, no not really. Because after seeing how many of them are trying to re-invent the wheel time and time again when it comes to IT related things, it's just boggles the mind. Seems like most institutions have lab equipment purchases down to a science (yes that's a pun). And food services working well.
What seems to be missing in most cases is that extra value add that IT can never get around to because most of their time and money are tied up delivering (or re-inventing) basic commodity services.
Some are at least beginning to ask the right questions:
- Why are we providing email for students when everyone's got one (or more already)?
- Why are we running computer labs when our students have computers already?
- Why are doing X ourselves when most corporations outsource that already?
It's very interesting that Universities and Colleges are looking more like their corporate counterparts in many ways these days. Overall it's a good thing I think.
