Higher education important, Forsee says

By Allie Blood

Published April 29, 2008

Addressing the issue of higher education’s value to society, UM system President Gary Forsee spoke as part of the Monroe-Paine Distinguished Lecture Series Monday in Jesse Wrench Auditorium.

Forsee said the future of the state depends on higher education, because it generates about $1.1 million in economic activity and creates 13,000 jobs outside of the UM system.

“The University of Missouri is a public icon,” Forsee said.

A graduate of Missouri University of Science and Technology, Forsee said he sees the tuition increase as a reason why people doubt the value of investing in a degree. In 35 years, in-state tuition has increased from $29 per credit hour to 10 times that amount, he said.

Forsee said a tactic to maintain enrollment is to highlight the developments the UM system has made and the advantages that a degree gives a person.

“We’ve obviously differentiated ourselves in order to attract students,” Forsee said.

Forsee said faculty compensation is of paramount importance.

He said the success of the university is largely based on finding a balance between tenured and new professors. Forsee also said the flagship campus needs to work on this issue.

“We must acknowledge we are falling behind in this detention,” Forsee said.

Faculty Council chairman Frank Schmidt said while the benefits of a degree, bachelor’s or professional, are easily to measure in dollars, it is also important to look at how education benefits society.

“We don’t talk about how a society is better for having educated people,” Schmidt said.

Forsee said it’s a matter of making elementary school-aged children aware they can contribute to society if they are better educated, because less than 18 percent of Americans receive a degree.

Staff Advisory Council chairwoman Rebecca Bergfield said it’s important to market higher education despite the fact many people get degrees and end up pursuing a career in a different field.

“I hear people say it’s the almighty dollar,” Bergfield said. “You may love doing business or chemistry, but you might find you’re good at something else that pays better.”

Forsee said while those situations are common, higher education provides for critical thinking skills, improved interaction and collaboration skills.