Executive Commentary

Major Trends in Auxiliaries and Higher Education

What does the future hold? We’re all most often concerned with major trends that impact our own work. That of course is dependent on your current situation, and our situations in higher education are “fluid” to say the least. I was recently challenged by a sister association to identify the major trends we see at NACAS for auxiliaries and higher education. Each is worthy of much discussion, and they aren’t in order of importance. But we will hit the highlights:

1. Outsourcing is increasing. NACAS has always been an advocate of the efficient and effective operation of auxiliaries, and that means we support BOTH outsourcing and self-op when the circumstances are “right.” We’re seeing increased outsourcing both for good and bad reasons. We very much need to examine this trend in depth and set a better basis for good decisions.

2. Financial models are changing. With changes in federal, state, endowment and tuition models, auxiliary service revenue and expenses are also facing scrutiny. We have various models for governance and even accounting in higher education and auxiliaries. In an environment where “raiding the bank” is happening more often, we need to explore consistent models.

3. New approaches to student, faculty and administrative success. Auxiliaries are an important partner in the higher education enterprise, and we can impact the success of every other unit. We are impacted by other units as well. We need to be more visible in the decision-making at the institution.

4. Succession planning will soon be crucial. Our “Boomer” population of auxiliary and higher education leaders will soon be retiring, taking a large part of the knowledge-base with them. The succession process (not replacement) will be important.

5. The impact of rising enrollment and new students. Many suggest that as unemployment rates decrease, so will our bursting-at-the-seams student population. I’m not so sure. But we must look at our students in relationship to their impact on our business partner/vendors, the U.S./Canadian workforce, services and learning mission. Auxiliaries have a documented positive impact on student success. We need to explore how to widen that impact.

6. Increasing our connections and networking in a “new reality” economy. I don’t believe that an annual conference or face-to-face workshops will ever go away, but clearly new technology demands that professional development, connections and networking be available at one’s desk. Meshing all the options that are available for one’s employees is critical to a successful future.

7. Cooperate, compete, or something else… Auxiliaries have always been more attuned to competition, but this will increase. It’s not only community vendors, but also publishers or online (for books and e-books), for-profit and online education from others and our own institutions, demanded cooperation between nonprofit sectors (including elementary-secondary), and many others. We need to differentiate between cooperation and/or competition in the changing environments in which we work.

8. Doing more with less. Our organizational structures and even the time we have in the day (or night) is changing. We may need to examine or abandon “scented territories” to accomplish our goals. How do you get others, or yourself, to look at your operation without being all things to all people?

9. Standards. We have, for too long, said that what we do is hard to measure, and we are right. But setting standards and determining concrete, measurable and quality objectives is growing in importance.

10. Marketing. Few operations will be able to function without thinking how and what they communicate with others. Facebook, Twitter, texting and conventional messages will grow in importance.

No one can face new trends without thinking of the team with which they will face them. NACAS has been privileged to have gifted individuals who have served as the President, along with amazing boards, committees and regional leadership. If you haven’t met our new President, Frank Mumford, go to HIS commentary and article, and learn more. For eight years I’ve worked with Frank in California through their Auxiliary Organization Association, NACAS West, with his wonderful work growing the NACAS Education Foundation in vision and accomplishments, and now with NACAS. He is the right person at an important time. Do meet and support Frank and all of NACAS.
As always, agree or disagree to bob@nacas.org.