The role of a Higher Education Chief Information Officer (CIO) has evolved significantly over the years. Today, CIOs are responsible for ensuring that the university's IT systems and infrastructure can support its needs, including fluctuations in student numbers.
We have created a short list of how the roles and responsibilities can be impacted when student numbers change. From speaking to many CIOs, we know the main reasons for a change in student admissions.
Why might your admissions fluctuate over time? (a small selection)
Economic factors: Economic factors such as changes in the job market or fluctuations in the economy can affect admissions. When the job market is strong, students may choose to pursue job opportunities instead of higher education, resulting in a decrease in admissions.
Demographic changes: Changes in the population structure, such as a decline in the number of high school graduates, can impact the number of students applying to UK universities.
Changes in academic standards: Changes in academic standards or entrance requirements can also affect university admissions. If the admission requirements become more rigorous, the number of students who meet the criteria may decrease.
Institutional reputation: A university's reputation can impact admissions. A positive reputation can attract more students, while negative publicity or scandals can cause a decrease in admissions.
Competition: Increased competition from other higher education providers can also impact university admissions. When students have more options, they may choose to attend a different institution.
Large-scale global events: Pandemics and war can, and do, impact students applying to and enroling at university. Environmental sustainability and the drive to reduce carbon emissions are now a real considerations for students when deciding on their education.
If we combine any of these factors, we may see a direct impact on the number of students enrolling at university. As a CIO, what do you do?
Strategic Planning: Developing and implementing a technology strategy that aligns with the broader strategic goals of the institution starts with the CIO. This includes identifying and prioritising technology initiatives, setting goals and metrics for success, and ensuring that technology investments support the institution's academic and administrative objectives. Any sizeable change in student numbers can impact the institution's academic and administrative priorities, which in turn can impact the technology strategy. For example, if there is a sudden decrease in enrolments, as the CIO, you may need to prioritise technology initiatives that support rapid recruitment, a new admissions process, or focus on retaining the students you have.
Information Security: An absolutley critical responsibility for a Higher Education CIO. Responsible for developing and implementing policies and procedures that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of institutional data and information systems. This includes managing the risks posed by data breaches, cyber-attacks, and other security threats. During an unprecedented global event as we have just experienced with Covid-19, the huge spike in online learning meant CIOs needed to implement additional security measures to protect sensitive student data and ensure the integrity of online assessments.
Technology Infrastructure: Maintaining and upgrading the institution's technology infrastructure is another critical consideration of the HE CIO. This includes managing servers, networks, and other hardware and software systems - ensuring that technology systems are reliable, scalable, and secure either on-premise or in the cloud. University applications are set to sore in the next few years - you will need to consider upgrading network capacity to accommodate more users and traffic during the admissions and enrolment process to ensure students and staff are given the best experience.
Budget Management: Developing and managing budgets for technology projects and initiatives, negotiating contracts with vendors and service providers, and ensuring that the institution's technology investments are cost-effective and aligned with the institution's strategic priorities take up a lot of time for the modern CIO. With each enroled student representing £9,000 per year studied, it only takes a small swing, either way, to make a noticeable impact to the ROI of your technology investment. Depending on the reason for a reduction in student numbers, a CIO may need to make budget cuts or reprioritise technology initiatives to align with the institution's changing needs.
Leadership and Collaboration: The CIO is a senior leadership position with a strategic focus, responsible for leading the technology team and collaborating with other departments and stakeholders across the institution. To do this you must be effective communicators and relationship builders, working closely with academic and administrative leaders to ensure that technology is supporting the institution's mission and goals. You must also stay current with emerging technologies and trends, and be able to translate these into opportunities for the institution. For example, if there is a significant change in enrolments, as the CIO, you may need to work more closely with stakeholders to ensure that technology is supporting the institution's changing needs. The CIO must also work closely with other departments, such as admissions and student services, to ensure that technology is supporting the institution's changing student recruitment and retention efforts.
Things the CIO can do now
Invest in Scalable IT Infrastructure: As a CIO, it is crucial to invest in scalable IT infrastructure that can handle fluctuations in student numbers. This means that the IT systems and infrastructure must be able to adapt to the increased demands on the network, such as an increase in online classes or remote learning. By investing in scalable IT infrastructure, CIOs can ensure that the university's IT systems can handle increased traffic during peak periods and maintain the same level of service during low periods.
Utilise Cloud Services: Cloud services are a cost-effective solution that can help universities manage fluctuations in student numbers. Cloud services can help CIOs manage resources more effectively by providing on-demand scalability, flexible pricing models, and simplified maintenance. This means that universities can easily scale up or down their IT systems to meet the institution's needs without investing in additional hardware and software.
Implement Disaster Recovery Plans: Fluctuations in student numbers can also significantly impact the university's IT systems, and CIOs must have disaster recovery plans in place. Disaster recovery plans are critical to ensuring that the university can continue to operate in the event of a disruption, such as a cyber-attack, natural disaster, or hardware failure. CIOs should work with their teams to identify potential risks, create a response plan, and test the plan regularly to ensure it is effective. By having a disaster recovery plan in place, CIOs can minimise the impact of disruptions on the university's IT systems and ensure business continuity.
Partner with Vendors: Universities can benefit from partnering with vendors who specialise in providing IT solutions for higher education institutions. These vendors can provide CIOs with expertise in managing student numbers fluctuations and access to the latest technologies and solutions. By working with vendors, CIOs can ensure that the university's IT systems are up-to-date and able to meet the institution's changing needs.
Monitor and Analyse Data: Data analysis is an essential tool for CIOs in managing fluctuations in student numbers. By monitoring and analysing data, CIOs can gain insights into trends, identify areas of concern, and make informed decisions about IT resource allocation. CIOs should work with their teams to develop a data-driven approach to managing the university's IT systems, which includes setting key performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly reviewing and analysing data to identify opportunities for improvement.
Fluctuations in student numbers can significantly impact a university's IT systems, and you must be prepared to manage these changes effectively. Investing in scalable IT infrastructure, utilising cloud services, implementing disaster recovery plans, partnering with vendors, and monitoring and analysing data ensures that the IT infrastructure can meet the institution's changing needs. By adopting a proactive approach to managing fluctuations in student numbers, you can position your university for success in an ever-changing higher education landscape
TOPICS:
Student Marketing & Recruitment
