The Unintended Consequences of Borrowing Business Tools to Run a University

As colleges and universities compete more vigorously than ever to attract applicants from a smaller population of high-school seniors and strive to provide a deeper, more compelling education, many of us in academic leadership have looked to business practices and concepts to manage our institutions. Techniques borrowed from the business community can significantly improve an institution and what it provides. Business tools also provide important insights into many issues that face the academy, such as how to academically support students through graduation and improve their lives on the campus.