Monday, October 4

2:00 pm-2:30 pm

Welcome and Opening Comments

Richard Novak, Executive Director, Center for Public Trusteeship and Governance, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges; Cheryl Blanco, Director of Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

2:30 pm-3:30 pm

View from the States: Turning a Corner?

Policymakers and stakeholders often learn the most about emerging issues, including what issues states are facing and strategies for tackling the inevitable challenges to problem resolution, through direct conversation with their colleagues from other states. This session will provide each state with the opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on important issues related to the integration of higher education financial aid and financing policy.

Facilitator: Richard Novak, Executive Director, Center for Public Trusteeship and Governance, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

3:45 pm-5:00 pm

A Fresh Look at Access and Affordability

Although more states’ finances are stabilizing, price hikes, enrollment caps, and escalating admissions requirements remain part of the equation. It’s now time for a fresh discussion about boosting all students’ access to an affordable, high quality college education. What tools are available to help state higher education systems serve a still-surging wave of traditional-age college students and adult learners eager to upgrade their skills? And how can higher education leaders most effectively make their case with influential business leaders and policymakers? This interactive discussion will draw upon the newest research, emerging promising practices, and the experiences of our participants.

Facilitator: Neal Johnson, Deputy Executive Director, Center for Public Trusteeship and Governance, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

Speaker: Sarita Brown, President, Excelencia in Education, Inc.

6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Jones' Presentation

Risser's Presentation

Policies in Sync: Aligning Appropriations, Financing, and Financial Aid

Regardless of the near-term economic outlook, some state higher education systems and institutions will spend the remaining years of this decade recovering from the effects of the recent revenue and appropriation seesaw and the ttendant affects on tuition and financial aid. In this environment, state leaders must learn to strategically deploy financing policy toward ends rather than means. This session will help participants align policy to encourage educational outcomes consistent with the economic benefits and enhanced quality of life for a state’s citizens.

Facilitator: Demarée Michelau, Project Coordinator, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Speakers: Dennis Jones, President, National Center for Higher Education Management Systems; Paul Risser, Chancellor, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

Tuesday, October 5

9:00 am-10:00 am

Longanecker's Presentation

Aligning State and Federal Policy: Effects on Access and Retention

State policymakers too often make piecemeal decisions about tuition, appropriations, and financial aid—resulting in a hodgepodge of disconnected policies that sometimes are in conflict. And federal policymaking rarely is created with state policy impacts in mind. This session will explore the intersection between federal and state policy decisions and how they can be better integrated to increase access and retention.

Speaker: David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

10:30 am-12:00 pm

O'Donnell's Presentation

Proctor's Presentation

New Strategies for Funding Higher Education

As states are less able, and willing in some cases, to provide the necessary financial support for higher education, systems and institutions are exploring new ways of providing their services to students, including increased independence and in some cases, privatization. This session will explore the reasons for and consequences of reduced state support for higher education and a potentially redefined role of the state especially for the finance and governance of systems and institutions.

Speakers: Stanley Ikenberry, Regent Professor and President Emeritus, University of Illinois, and former President, American Council on Education; William Proctor, Executive Director, Council for Education Policy Research & Improvement; Rick O’Donnell, Executive Director, Colorado Commission on Higher Education

12:45 pm-1:30 pm

Small Group Discussion: Sharing Strategies for Success

1:30 pm-2:45 pm

Layzell's Presentation

Twigg's Presentation

Efficiency and Productivity: The Next Generation of Approaches

Any serious effort to align financing and financial aid policies must include a sustained analysis of system and institutional efficiency and productivity. Even if state revenues were to make an unexpectedly dramatic comeback, the competing demands of K-12 education, health care, and public safety—and demographic shifts, including the sheer numbers of incoming college students in some states—guarantee that higher education leaders must redesign how the educational product is delivered. This session will feature promising practices in enterprise management and program design and delivery that can help systems and institutions better focus and leverage their fiscal and personnel investments.

Facilitator: Cheryl Blanco, Director of Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

Speakers: Daniel Layzell, Deputy Director, Planning and Budgeting, Illinois Board of Higher Education; Carol Twigg, Executive Director, Center for Academic Transformation; Jane Wellman, Senior Associate, Institute for Higher Education Policy

2:45 pm-3:00 pm

Closing Discussion

Richard Novak, Executive Director, Center for Public Trusteeship and Governance, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges; Cheryl Blanco, Director of Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education