U-Md. sends 38 to a Chicago event
Did the University of Maryland need 38 people at the annual conference of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education in Chicago earlier this month?
A College Inc. reader posed that question and sent me a list of attendees, making the point that 38 round-trip plane tickets and hotel bookings would cost about as much as two or three students' tuition.
The organization is, according to its web site, "the leading voice for student affairs administration, policy, and practice," with over 11,000 members at 1,400 campuses.
Important work? Certainly, and "it is not unusual for institutions to send large contingents," wrote Millree Williams, chief university spokesman, in an e-mail. "At Maryland, we have several staff, including our vice president for student affairs, who have significant leadership roles (NASPA Board, major committees, etc.) and have to participate. Others delivered papers, did presentations, or participated on various panels. Some were gone for the entire conference, while others were just there for a day or two and came back."
My tipster, who sent the list of attendees on condition of anonymity, noted that U-Md. sent more people to the conference than any other college in the Washington region. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County sent four. The University of Virginia sent eight. Large out-of-state schools such as the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois sent dozens.
The University System of Maryland has an internal efficiency program that is regarded as a national model for cutting corners and costs. Is it patently inefficient to send 38 people to a conference?
Tell me what you think by leaving a comment below or emailing me at devised@washpost.com.
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By
Daniel de Vise
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March 15, 2010; 9:05 AM ET
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| Tags: U-Md., U-Va., conference travel, efficiency, finance
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Posted by: mdeducator | March 16, 2010 12:46 PM | Report abuse
mdeducator, I was wondering the same thing and had e-mail Daniel about this very point. Two things need to be considered: 1. not everyone that is affiliated with the University went to this conference on UMD's dime...and 2. being such a prominent conference many graduate students (including myself) were there to take advantage of the job placement services, presenting research, and/or networking. Most graduate students fund their own way to these conferences. If there is funding it is usually in the way of grants that one applies for. UMD has two prominent programs (one in higher education administration and another in college student personnel) from which master's and doctoral students would choose to attend this particular conference. And the faculty from these programs attend as well -- often out of their own pocket or through a grant not based from UMD monies...I agree, clarification would be helpful.
Posted by: SAHEstudent | March 16, 2010 1:58 PM | Report abuse
While the author asks an important question to hold public higher education institutions accountable, the previous comments raise important questions for the article to consider. The University of Maryland has a very large student affairs staff as well as two graduate programs with significant numbers of masters and doctoral students (including myself). Many of us (I would actually guess most) paid our own way, including registration, lodging, and travel. Before jumping to conclusions, the anonymous source should do some investigating to determine how much funding ACTUALLY came from UMD.
Posted by: docstudent | March 16, 2010 5:00 PM | Report abuse
I also wanted to add this comment: NASPA is a large umbrella organization. The field of student affairs has grown in its specialization. Beyond graduate students and faculty, it is likely that the professional staff present represent many different areas of student services and student affairs function across the campus...therefore, it is less likely that "duplication" in the way this article suggests may be happening.
Posted by: SAHEstudent | March 16, 2010 8:06 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
UMD has several graduate programs in higher education administration for both doctoral and master's students. Does the number you have stated include graduate students and faculty who may have been self-funded or funded through travel grants? Clarification would be helpful.