Governor urges more universities to offer 3-year degrees
The Indianapolis Star
April 19, 2010
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels says the time is
right to shake up the old traditions of higher
education and look for new ways to help Hoosier
students graduate with a degree.
One possibility: More three-year college degrees,
which can save students as much as 20 percent in
college costs and encourage more to earn their
diplomas.
“We can’t simply emphasize enrollment any more,”
Daniels said this morning at a statewide gathering
of college presidents and higher education officials
at IUPUI.
Criticizing a history of financially rewarding
colleges for higher enrollment figures, Daniels said
too many campuses have a “herd ‘em in and keep
‘em in” mentality – but not enough emphasis on
graduating.
“We want them out as fast as we can,” Daniels said.
Only 16.5 percent of Indiana adults age 25-64 have
their bachelor’s degree. Nearly 22 percent have
some college, but no degree, according to the U.S.
Census Bureau.