This Week In College Viability (TWICV)

This week's podcast show includes news and commentary on:+ Academic Purges Continue As More Colleges Close Their Degree Programs+ Indiana lifts the lid on college program costs+ Illinois wants to be like Missouri;  Bill introduced in Illinois House to study higher education funding+ A CC is adding football.+ Wrap this week with a more detailed look a how we should inspect colleges similar to how we inspect houses before we purchase them.Show notes and links2026 College Majors Completion app for students & families2026 College Majors Completion app for academic leadersKeene State College will undergo reorganization to mitigate budget deficit and declining enrollmentUnprofitable majors could be on chopping block at SC’s public colleges. Here’s whyIndiana lifts the lid on college program costs — but the numbers aren’t easy to compareAcademic Purges Continue As More Colleges Close Their Degree ProgramsMetro East community college bets on football to grow enrollment and campus prideBill introduced in Illinois House to study higher education fundingCollege Viability Transparency Tool

This week’s top stories and commentary:+ Layoffs and cutbacks including cancellation of a December graduation event at an Ohio college+ Bill would let Kentucky universities lay off tenured faculty during financial crisis+ Missouri wants to subsidize public colleges based on their enrollment.  You can imagine the protests coming from colleges.+ED Plans to ease merger pathways.  I have some notes on that.Here are the show notes and linksCollege Majors Completion AppCollege Viability Transparency Tool - (Complimentary trial)Syracuse University to axe nine majors as cost-cutting at the school continues Walla Walla Community College eyes 43 layoffs, closing a branch campusBaldwin Wallace University cancels December 2026 commencement amid financial concernsCentral Ohio (Old Dominican) university misses debt payment following years of financial, enrollment lossesBill would let Kentucky universities lay off tenured faculty during financial crisisPlan to defund some Missouri colleges and universities hits wall in SenateED Plans to Ease Merger Pathways

We are now well past 200 'This Week' episode.  Each week, there are hundreds of downloads across a variety of podcast distribution sites we use.  I continue to get feedback to 'keep doing what you are doing  - it is needed'.So this week: + Layoffs and cutbacks continue across higher ed.+ Iowa can’t decide on bachelors for CC’s+ Of course, college faculty want the feds to give them more money+ You can’t count enrollment growth twice.+ Students & parents need a housing (college) inspectorShow notes:Get the 2026 College Majors Completion AppUniversity of North Texas Cuts 70+ Programs to Close $45 Million Deficit — Linguistics, Women's Studies and 25 Minors Among the CasualtiesUMaine to lay off staff as it slashes $5.6M from budgetPlan for 4-year degrees from Iowa community colleges hits Senate snagHundreds of Colleges and Professors Implore Ed. Dept. to Reverse ‘Dangerous’ Changes for Grad StudentsWhat’s Behind the 2025 College Enrollment Surge?If you're a parent of a current or future college student, check out the tool we have prepared that will help you navigate the financial health and viability of colleges you are considering.  Click here for a courtesy spin of the College Viability Transparency Tool.

This week on 'This Week':+ Lots of layoffs and cutbacks.  This is a pattern folks.  For those in denial or trying to cover up the financial challenges colleges face.  This is a pattern.+ Swarthmore College wants to change accreditors.  The reasons are interesting.+ If you can’t consistently generate positive cash from operation, sell something.  That’s what Rider University (NJ) did.+ How about a new ‘no confidence vote’  This one at Old Dominion University.  Spoiler alert:  Their 4 YGR is only at 50% in 2024.+ The HLC takes some poetic license with the social media post on recent enrollment increases.  I am here to fill in the details they left out in the post.+ and moreShow notes:Rutgers Says It May Lay Off 37 Faculty MembersWith fewer students and higher costs, many Massachusetts districts weigh school closures and mergersCT university (New Haven U) tells faculty contract non-renewals coming. Why academic programs also face axNew Jersey City University–Kean Merger Triggers 151 Layoffs & BuyoutsUniversity of Providence in Great Falls declares financial exigencyThe New School Will Reduce Faculty and Staff by 15% Amid a Financial ReorganizationSwarthmore Applies to Switch its Accreditation Agency to New England CommissionRider University Sells Part of Campus to County in $10M DealOld Dominion Faculty Vote No Confidence in Leaders Over Plan to Compress Online Courses

Make sure to stick with the podcast to the end.  I used one of my AI tools to help me write the wrap for this week.  It came up with a fascinating conclusion.Hint:  higher education has become an industry of spin and hiding bad data.This week’s top stories and commentary:+ The uncomfortable question about direct admissions+ Keystone College accreditation reaffirmed by Middle States Commission+ In Illinois, they Punish the winners and subsidize the loser public colleges+ There is a faculty protest at DePaul University.  Well faculty protests are not news, they are as common as the sun rising.  This one has some interesting spin.Show Notes:Major restructuring will merge two Boise State schools, and close a collegeSEMO Spin -  University enrollment grows.  Officials report 167 more students for Spring 2026.8 Education Trends That Are Changing College AdmissionsFinancial viability of women’s sports at heart of Women’s Collegiate Sports Protection ActIllinois boosts universities losing students, punishes gainersKeystone College accreditation reaffirmed by Middle States CommissionMembers of DePaul faculty publish open letter opposing the closure of art museumDirect Admissions- Cutting Out the Application

This week's top stories.+ Without nationwide rules, South Carolina lawmakers move to keep college athlete payments secret+ U.S. Plans to Stop Funding Low-Earning Degrees. Indiana May Just End Them. + Editorial: New England colleges urged to disclose financial risks+ ‘A Gray Area’: Students Say Harvard’s ‘Typical Assets’ Rule Leaves Financial Aid Gaps+ And much more . . . .Show notes: Eastern Illinois University on-campus enrollment drops 9.5% in springWittenberg Offers Transfer Pathway for Lourdes University studentsWithout nationwide rules, South Carolina lawmakers move to keep college athlete payments secretU.S. Plans to Stop Funding Low-Earning Degrees. Indiana May Just End ThemEditorial: New England colleges urged to disclose financial risks    (Behind paywall.)Don't Rush Students Into Debt Before New Loan Limits Hit‘A Gray Area’: Students Say Harvard’s ‘Typical Assets’ Rule Leaves Financial Aid GapsAdditional links:Purchase the 2026 Majors Completion App (Academic leaders version.Purchase the 2026 Majors Completion App (Student & Family versionMore Links:  Sign up for college financial transparency updatesOther College Viability ShowsBeyond the College BrochureThe College Financial Health Show with Matt Hendricks and Gary StockerKitchen Table College Chats with Gary Stocker and Marc Deboer

This week:+ After mass resignation, Lourdes appointed new trustees who voted to close school+ How California’s capital is getting FBS football: Economics expert weighs in on Sac State's move to the MAC + ASU plans to add tens of thousands to online student enrollment. Be careful of your Mom and Pop online enrollment programs.+ UCLA CFO blows whistle on university finances+ Education Department Moves to Eliminate "Regional Accreditor" Label in Major Higher Ed Shake-Up+ Plus:  What is 'fit'?Show notes and links:Yale College has laid off some employees as it reduces staff, Lewis saysUNT faces $45 million budget shortfall amid state funding cuts and drop in international studentsWSU to close Yakima College of Nursing, sending students to Tri-Cities and SpokaneCentral State University lays off faculty as financial woes, SB 1 hitAfter mass resignation, Lourdes appointed new trustees who voted to close schoolHow ASU plans to add tens of thousands to online student enrollmentChristian education: Multnomah gave up its campus in a failed takeover. Alums want it backCalifornia’s capital is getting FBS football: Economics expert weighs in on Sac State's move to the MACUCLA CFO blows whistle on university financesEducation Department Moves to Eliminate "Regional Accreditor" Label in Major Higher Ed Shake-Up

Big week at College Viability News:   2026 College Majors Completion app for academic leaders and one for students and families.Plus:  The College Viability Transparency Tool.  News and commentary this week:+ A Small University Bet Big on Enrolling Athletes. Now It Will Close.+ Marshall University cuts women’s swimming team+ (In the ‘I can’t believe it’s a story’ category and probably not a Pulitzer Journalism Award story:    University of Connecticut, looking to save $1.57M, removes trash cans from many of its offices (Not making this up.)+ Report from New America: 41 Institutions Steered Low-Income Families to Loans+ And some more doozy stories that I just didn’t put in today’s headline teaser.Show notes and links:A Small University Bet Big on Enrolling Athletes. Now It Will CloseCurry College acquires Labouré, which will shut its doors this summerPasadena’s Providence Christian College to Close, After Two DecadesMarshall Sports:  Herd swimming and diving on chopping block, per SI report   SwimSwam.com story on Marshall swimming teamUniversity of Denver braces for up to a $30 million budget shortfall next yearStudents and faculty express concern about layoffs at The College of WoosterUniversity of New Haven loses thousands of international students due to visa restrictionsUniversity of Connecticut, looking to save $1.57M, removes trash cans from many of its officesFitch report on Marshall UniversityFitch report on Agnes Scott CollegeReport: 41 Institutions Steered Low-Income Families to LoansState approval affirms Rider’s progress under March to Sustainability Plan

This week (February 6, 2026):+ Southern Oregon University warns of financial crisis by early 2027.  Some interesting mea cuplas.+ Buffalo State program cuts spark strong reactions from students+ Oklahoma Governor Nixes Tenure At Most Of The State’s Public Colleges+  Inside the collapse of California College of the Arts: School gambled on a major campus expansion and lost.  There may be more to it than that.+ And much, much, more.Show notes:If you want to get the weekly College Financial Transparency update, click here.Southern Oregon University warns of financial crisis, payroll risk by early 20275 layoffs as Idaho Statue U. axes College of Education, splits biology department in mass restructuringSanta Monica College to eliminate more than 70 jobs despite pushback from staff, studentsBuffalo State program cuts spark strong reactions from studentsUA Little Rock Continues Enrollment Growth for Spring 2026Niagara University Reports 73% Surge in Spring Transfer EnrollmentFitch Downgrades Manhattan University (NY) to 'BBB-'; Outlook NegativeInternational Graduate Enrollment Is Falling Off a CliffMore Colleges Are Using Direct Admissions. They’re Still Discovering What Makes It SuccessfulInside the collapse of California College of the Arts: School gambled on a major campus expansion and lostOklahoma Governor Nixes Tenure At Most Of The State’s Public CollegesThe Campaign to Make Professors Teach More

This week's show includes stories and commentary on + Iowa universities reviewing low-enrollment majors, could close or merge programs+ Wintertime spin on enrollment number for an IL public college+ Averett College (VA) Sells Athletic Facilities+ Be careful letting your sons and daughters consider Naturopathic medicineShow Notes and Links:Iowa universities reviewing low-enrollment majors, could close or merge programsOregon State University faces uncertain financial future amid enrollment decline, budget cutsSIUE plugs Spring Enrollment.  Ignores 4-year graduation ratesMen are opting out of college. New England’s campuses are missing them.Averett Sells Athletic FacilitiesAre Naturopathic medicine colleges in trouble.  Ryan Hofer Substack post.A perspective on the enrollment cliff, or slope or downturn, or plummetInterested in the weekly College Financial Health Report Newsletter?  Click here.

Here are the headlines stories from this week's podcast.+ Taking a look at Acupuncture and Naturopathy colleges+ Iowa joins the ‘cut low enrollment majors club+ Iowa private colleges promise closures if community colleges start offering bachelor degrees+ Whistleblower: OU dental school prioritizing high-tuition foreign students as some Oklahomans get squeezed outShow notes and links.Wichita State budget deficit now expected to be 7%.Ryan Hofer at Substack:  “Debt by Natural Causes”University of Iowa considers cutting low-enrollment majorsGovernor Murphy Signs Law Advancing Kean–NJCU Merger, Transforming Higher Education in New JerseyMorningside University, St. Luke’s College complete first stage of acquisitionQuarter of US colleges could close in the coming years, university president warns of major transformationIowa private colleges promise closures if community colleges start offering bachelor degreesWhistleblower: OU dental school prioritizing high-tuition foreign students as some Oklahomans get squeezed out

TWICV News and Commentary for January 19, 2026This is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else.This week:+ California College of the Arts, Will Close in 2027+ Hampshire College warned of potential closure by auditors+ After Protests Over Cuts, Mary Baldwin U.'s President Resigns and Some Minors Are Restored+ A company helping colleges avoid reinventing the wheel.+ Another state talks public college consolidation+ And, of course, much more.Make sure to forward the podcast link to your Higher Education friends.  No sense in just you getting latest news and commentary on the whole industryWant to start your own podcast, I use Riverside.fm.  Click here to get access to start your show.Show notes:San Francisco’s Last Remaining Private Art School, the California College of the Arts, Will Close in 2027What We Will Lose When California College of the Arts ClosesUT-Arlington offers employee buyouts amid federal funding cuts, officials sayHampshire College warned of potential closure by auditorsA College Missed Its Enrollment Goal by Nearly Half. What Happened?After Protests Over Cuts, Mary Baldwin U.'s President Resigns and Some Minors Are Restored5 Fall 2025 Enrollment TakeawaysHow Oregon’s top higher ed board wants to solve university deficits

This week:+ Closed college bails on faculty and students.  Don’t let this happen to you.+ Universities cut over 9,000 jobs in 2025+  How about a public college that graduated 6% of its students in 2023 getting public funds to build a multi-million dollar STEM building?+ Is there a coordinated effort by some in higher education to write stories trying to deny that the industry is in decline?INTRO:   Always add:  forward podcast link to your Higher Education friends.  No sense in just you getting latest news and commentary on the whole industryShow notes and link:Free MyCollegeViabilty.com financial health report on private collegesStart your own podcast.  I use Riverside.fm.  Here is a link.Now I have to start over' | Students left in dark after Martin University closesStruggling Western Mass. college misses enrollment goal by halfUniversities cut over 9,000 jobs in 2025 as Trump targets federal funding: reportRider University Creates $2M ‘Hope’ Fund to Help Students Pay Tuition as it Faces Cuts, LayoffsUC San Diego math weakness story has legs.After No-Confidence Vote, University Of Nebraska Chancellor To ResignThe college backlash is a mirageThe curious disconnect between the data and the vibes of higher education

Sitting in front of the Blue Yeti microphone and the smooth running Riverside.fm podcast software.As ‘Your College Financial Quality Control Advocate’  This is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else.  I talk about delusional colleges, regurgitation reporting, And College Viability is Higher Education’s NORAD.  Our data radar tells you which incoming colleges are risky and which will safely deliver an education package. Today:+ Martin University terminates staff (without pay), encourages students to transfer+ Rider University (NJ)  placed on probation+ A potential college president foot-in-mouth story+ Another college tries to spin bad news into a ‘Comeback kid’ kind of story+ From Dow Jones Market Watch and Morningstar:  ‘They're in their 60s and still paying off student loans. College debt in America now lasts a lifetime.’INTRO:   Always add:  forward podcast link to your Higher Education friends.  No sense in just you getting latest news and commentary on the whole industryWant to use Riverside.fm for your podcast.  Click here to access.   BTW, I am a new affiliate with Riverside

The final 2025 podcast for This Week in College Viability.This is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else.This week's stories include: +  Lots of layoff and cutback stories today+ A college without a library.  (Bloomberg News story I was quoted in) That is the position that Albright College since 2019+ Merry Christmas from your friendly accreditor + College Bankruptcies Are Coming+ The Higher education market is adjusting:  Case in point:  Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wants merger of higher education and labor departmentsShow notes and links:+ Oklahoma regents vote to cut 41 ‘low-producing’ academic programs+ Enrollment declining at WIU campuses  (Western Illinois University)+ Martin University’s abrupt closure disrupts student plans, angers alumni+ Guilford College comes off accreditor probation after budget cuts+ Christian Brothers University out of financial probation after 2 years+ College of Idaho’s ‘shift’ of resources comes with layoffs+ Why a College Fighting for Survival Is Slashing Econ and Physics Majors+ The Price of Waiting Too Long to Close+ College Bankruptcies Are Coming+ Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wants merger of higher education and labor departments+ The College Viability Manifesto

Greg Pillar answers these questions on this special podcast episode of 'This Week in College Viability'."Enrollment teams are obviously focused on hitting the numbers, often relying on GPA and test scores. In your experience, why are those metrics failing to predict a student’s actual readiness for the modern college environment?""If Enrollment focuses on 'getting them in' and Academics focuses on 'teaching them,' who is responsible for the transition? Where are students falling through the cracks during that hand-off?""Instructional capacity is often overlooked in the viability conversation. Are we asking faculty to do the impossible by putting modern learners into outdated academic infrastructures?""Headlines about program cuts are usually framed as 'Faculty vs. Administration.' What is the nuance that the media almost always misses"If a college accepts a student, they are making a promise of viability. Do schools have a moral obligation to stop enrolling students they are not structurally prepared to graduate?"What is the 'tuition mirage'?There was a west coast faculty post today about AI becoming a better teacher than teachers.  That may or may not happen.  Talk us through a scenario what that does happen in higher education.

It is, of course, the holiday season.  Sitting here in front of the Blue Yeti microphone, I have to wonder how many college leadership scrooges are out there.  The Yeti microphone and I look at college finances constantly.  It is almost certain, that even during this holiday season, there are colleges on the brink of announcing they cannot continue.And on that happy note, this is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else.This week:+ Closures, cutbacks, and exigency requests+ OSU to end 8 majors.  Continuing the recent trend that colleges cannot be everything to everybody+ 6-year grad rates – are they the standard now?+ Dysfunctional U (aka University of Tulsa) is exposed in an excellent piece by Megan Zahneis [Zay-knees] Dec 2 in the Chronicle of HE+ First come closures.  Then come real-estate vultures.+ 2 college employees (one faculty and one administrator) whine in social media.  That happens all the time.  These two just caught my attention.+ And more . . .Show notes and links:University of Lynchburg offers faculty buyouts to address financesHere’s what to know about Calvin University’s (MI) 12.5% faculty reduction, program cutsUniversity of Providence (MT) asks board to allow financial exigencyOhio State likely to end eight majors, over 350 courses in Senate Bill 1 complianceU.S. Six-Year College Graduation Rate Stays at 61%The Ambition Trap How the U. of Tulsa chased enrollment and prestige — but chiefly grew its deficit instead.The Opportunity in Bankrupt CollegesLI POST Dr. Crystal E Garcia Associate Professor of Educational Administration at UN LincolnHow about Whine story #2:  Another LI postFurther Negative Projections for Higher Ed in 2026

TWICV News and Commentary for December 1, 2025This is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else. + Rider President Says the University Will Survive (That’s a tough sell when I look at the data.)+ A study of 44 private colleges in the northeast by Michael Horn and Steven Shulman.   More data to support my premise that higher education will continue to move through its consolidation era: closures today.  Mergers tomorrow.+ Daniel Greenstein:  How Selectivity Shapes Financial Resilience in Private Higher Education+NBC news jumps on the college bad news bandwagon.+ and more. . . .Make sure to forward podcast link to your Higher Education friends.  No sense in just you getting latest news and commentary on the whole industryShow notes and linksRider President Says the University Will SurviveThe Financial Risk of Declining Enrollment to Midsize CollegesThe price of admission:  How Selectivity Shapes Financial Resilience in Private Higher EducationPoll: In a dramatic shift, Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost

This Thanksgiving week podcast includes stories on:+ We are now ‘sunsetting’ programs and majors.+ Columbia considers expanding undergraduate enrollment by up to 20 percent   (I wonder why?_+ Rider U’s financial and accreditation troubles continue to make news.+ In a dog bites man story:  University Of Nebraska Faculty Senate Votes No-Confidence Against its  Chancellor+ When grades stop meaning anything (UC San Diego story from last week) Kelsey Piper on her Substack siteShow notes:My email:  gary@collegeviability.comSimmons University proposes sunsetting five undergraduate majors during Town HallUCF lays off more than 60 employees as federal research funding dries upColumbia considers expanding undergraduate enrollment by up to 20 percentA major N.J. university is on ‘probation.’ Here’s what that means for studentsN.J. university plans to cut 25% of professors — but its union is pushing backDept of Ed changes ……LI PostColleges ease the dreaded admissions process as the supply of applicants declinesUniversity Of Nebraska Senate Votes No-Confidence Against ChancellorWhen grades stop meaning anything2 weeks after Trinity Christian closure announcement, Palos Heights knows little about college sale plans

TWICV News and Commentary for November 17, 2025This is the podcast that talks about the financial health and viability of public and private colleges with data, details and perspectives offered nowhere else.Where are we headed this week before Thanksgiving 2025?+  It wouldn’t be a show without cutbacks and layoffs.  We had a closure announcement last week, but the college was so small, it did warrant big headlines.+ Wittenberg U in Ohio:  On probation.  I will have the data for you.+ Utica college president moves to get the college financially sound and it looks like he was chased out because of it.+ Student protests at Mary Baldwin University (VA) because of cuts to minors.+ I have a college president who, after the fact, says ‘we wanted to be smaller anyway’+ Why Free Community College Is Missing The Mark In Massachusetts+ and of course much more. . .Show notes and links:N.J. (Rider) university in financial crisis will lay off 40 professors, cut everyone’s payKeene State to lay off staff positions, asking faculty to retire after state cutsAccreditor places Wittenberg on probation, citing ongoing financial problemsPresident of (Utica) university in Northeast steps down amid layoff threats, financial woesStudents protest Mary Baldwin University's decision to discontinue academic minorsDrexel’s first-year enrollment plummets by nearly twenty percent (corrected to 19.3%)Change the Game and the Name of 'College Admissions'Report finds UC San Diego freshmen not prepared for college-level math, writing classesWhy Free Community College Is Missing The Mark In Massachusetts