University's Turnaround Cited As National Model

University's Turnaround Cited As National Model

Contact: Marsha Jackson, University of Evansville, 812-479-2562, or, by e-mail, [email protected]

The University of Evansville in Indiana as being cited as a case study of how a university on the brink of disaster 10 years ago has turned itself into an academically and financially sound institution. Educational Securities, Inc., is using the University of Evansville's successful 10-year turnaround as the first document in its just-released Best Practices briefing series, designed to help other educational institutions overcome similar problems. The organization is a subsidiary of Sally Mae, a company which provides financial services to colleges and universities, and which is the nation's leading source of funding for education loans.

In its report, the firm says the University of Evansville was chosen "because of its remarkable achievements" in streamlining the institution under the direction of university president James Vinson. The report says that in 1987, the year Vinson was named president, UE was "an institution adrift," facing declining enrollment, money woes and low campus morale. The firm notes that Vinson inherited, and has resuscitated, a school that existed on the brink of disaster.

In 1987, many Indiana educators likened UE--with its declining enrollment, half-empty residence halls, $3 million unrestricted-fund deficit and low faculty and student morale--to an institutional basket case. Through Vinson's leadership, the University of Evansville has experienced a dramatic financial and academic revival. Vinson says much of UE's success can be attributed to simply helping the institution recognize and build on its own strengths. "We learned quickly that the university could not be all things to all people," he says, "and sought to emphasize and excel at our very best programs."

This was accomplished by a series of swift moves, including: eliminating programs duplicated by other area institutions; strengthening the university's focus on the liberal arts and sciences; and reaching out to draw students from a wider geographic area. In addition to bringing the university's academic focus, housing situation and day-to-day financial operations under control, Vinson has grown the school's endowment from $8 million to more than $30 million.

Robin Jenkins, managing director for research at Education Securities, calls the University of Evansville a "national role model" for rapid improvement--and for serving students more effectively at less cost.

Contact: Robin Jenkins, Educational Securities, Inc., 202-298-3084. To reach Dr. James Vinson, president of the University of Evansville, contact Marsha Jackson, university relations, 814-479-2562.