Category Archives: Post-secondary education
The New College Compact: Would It Work in Canada?
Hillary Clinton last week announced her plans to deal with a major election issue in the US – the record-breaking level of student loan debt. Her plan, called the New College Compact, is an effort to eliminate the need for … Continue reading
The Labour Market Experience of Postsecondary Graduates with Disabilities
by Saul Schwartz and Jennifer Stewart from the School of Public Policy and Administration at Carleton University In many ways, it has become easier for people with disabilities to succeed in higher education. For those with physical disabilities, modern technology … Continue reading
Carleton University, the Lansdowne Revitalization and a (Potential) Conflict of Interest?
Canadian universities typically have clear statements of how to deal with perceived, potential and real conflicts of interests that arise for members of their Boards of Governors. For example, the by-laws of the Carleton University Board of Governors state: “A … Continue reading
A short overview of university governance in Canada
Several recent controversies at Carleton — the building of the new parking garage over the O-Train tracks, the destruction of the campus community garden and the agreement to set up the Riddell Graduate Program in Political Management — have spurred … Continue reading
A Bad Mix: Complexity, For-Profit Schools and College Decisions
Almost 3000 four-year colleges are spread across the United States. Half are private non-profit schools and a quarter are public. For the first time, in 2011-2012, there were more private for-profit college than public colleges.[1] Young people face the daunting task … Continue reading
Are Students the Weaker Party in Loan Contracts?
Not all bargains are struck between parties with equal bargaining power; sometimes one party is far stronger because of greater knowledge and experience or because of the particular situation of the weaker party. If a vessel is sinking, the only … Continue reading
Debt Aversion Among Students: Does It Exist and Is It Important?
Would the prospect of having to borrow to go to university dissuade someone from enrolling in an academic program that was attractive to them and that held the promise of earnings that were enough to repay the loan? That is, … Continue reading
PSE: Affordable for Whom
This past December, I worked with Sandy Baum, a long-time friend and co-author, on revising a paper we had originally written in 2010 on “affordability” in post-secondary education (PSE). The quotes surround “affordability” because the word is often used without … Continue reading