Program Description: The traditional model of higher education is coming under increasing challenge from competitive forces, including for-profit education, information technology, and government regulation. At the same time, the costs of higher education continue to rise, student loan default rates are rising, and the quality and relevance of higher education is coming under increasing criticism. This public policy conference focused on issues of competition and consumer protection in higher education, examining the way in which competition and innovation can improve quality and reduce costs as well as the regulatory barriers to competition.

Agenda

The Government’s Role in Higher Education

Session 1: The Government’s Role In Higher Education from MasonLEC on Vimeo.

Panel:

Richard K. Vedder

Joshua C. Hall

Jane S. Shaw
Member, Board of Directors, John William Pope Center for Higher Education, Education Policy

Anne D. Neal
President, American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Moderator: Todd J. Zywicki

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Challenges to Higher Education Today: Cost and Quality Issues

Panel:

Roger E. Meiners
Goolsby-Rosenthal Endowed Chair in Law and Economics, Department of Economics, University of Texas at Arlington

Scott E. Masten
Professor of Business and Economics and Public Policy, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan

Daniel D. Polsby
Professor of Law, George Mason University School of Law

Todd J. Zywicki

Moderator: Michael E. Debow
Professor of Law, Cumberland School of Law, Samford University

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Luncheon Address: The Future of Higher Education

Speakers:

Richard Bishirjian
President and Professor of Government at Yorktown University

Brian Shull
Attorney, Federal Trade Commission

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Consumer Protection in Higher Education