Communication

Diane Steele added there was more the university could do to tell the public what it needs. “More information and more transparency,” agreed Bruce Walker.

Don Weiss, a trustee of Johnson County Community College and a dean at Keller Graduate School, doubted that the general population adequately values higher education.

 “I think if we are to remain competitive in a global economy,” said Weiss, “one of our roles is to help the taxpayer understand the critical role colleges and universities play keeping us competitive.”

Aaron Podolefsky wondered why business has not been more supportive of higher education. “To some degree,” he added, “what has happened to public higher education has not been the fault of higher education, but it has been the lack of responsibility, possibly, of business and entrepreneurs who went through college and suddenly forgot how they got there.”

“As leaders of higher education,” Walker added, “that is one thing we need to do—convince our different con- stituencies and demonstrate results to them so they have the confidence to

say we need to do more.”

“We may need a new messenger,” said Paul Wagner. “It does not seem like we in the higher education community have been successful, no matter what story we are telling. It doesn’t seem like those who hold those purse strings are persuaded.”