Tyler Kingkade’s recent Huffington Post article considers a somewhat disturbing trend in higher education: increased investing in amenities like student services and activities, athletics and facilities. His article considers research by The National Bureau of Economic Research published earlier in January as “College as Country Club: Do Colleges Cater to Students’ Preferences for Consumption?”
So What?
The cost of higher education keeps climbing higher and higher as does student loan debt. Given such, it would seem reasonable to expect universities to focus on academic quality while reducing amenities. In reality, however, many institutions are increasing amenities in response to student demand (or perceived student demand) in order to be competitive in the marketplace.
Rather than address this issue directly, I wonder about the implications for local congregations. In recent years has your community of faith increased or decreased spending on amenities based on parishioner demand (or perceived demand) to remain competitive in the marketplace? What types of programs, facilities, and services would you consider to be amenities rather than vital contributors to your congregation’s ministry and mission?