In an earlier post - US News America's Best Colleges 2008 - 8 Questions in Need of Answers I listed up 8 questions that were passed around to the business writers of the KnowMoreMedia network.
I'd like to take a stab at the questions one by one. Perhaps readers and visitors will share their answers.
6 - A growing number of universities are distancing themselves from the US News college ranking? Why?
Inside Higher Education notes that a proportion of presidents participating "in the 'reputational survey' — in which they rank similar institutions — had fallen to 51 percent this year, from 58 percent a year ago." A few years ago, participation was as high as 67 percent.
The reputational survey receives more weight than other factors.
IHE echoes one sentiment that I mentioned when addressing the first five questions in this eight question series - "The arrival of the new rankings from U.S. News (and many others) every August always prompts a flurry of boastful press releases from colleges that are happy with their placement — and complaints from those who have gripes over methodology."
Why are colleges or presidents distancing themselves from the rankings?
The answer is easy enough - the rankings don't serve their interests. If a college/university think they can get some mileage out of the rankings, rest assured they would use them. If a college/university thinks they can get some mileage out of taking a stance against the rankings...yup, watch them go.
The days of doing/thinking the right thing because it is right are few and far between.
Am I always so negative? Not at all. But, I do know what question/s people ask when they are looking at the bottom line.
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