The Growing Administrative Bloat in Higher Education: A Call for Change

For several decades, universities and colleges around the world have increasingly hired administrative staff at a faster rate than faculty members. This trend raises serious concerns about the balance of power and priorities within the academic realm. It is reminiscent of the creation of new municipal departments in cities, where the people hired are often tasked with addressing a temporary problem that they can make permanent, thus justifying their own existence.

Administrative Departments as Ongoing Expenditure

A prime example is the creation of homelessness departments in cities like San Francisco, which, despite their well-intentioned goals, exacerbate the very issues they aim to solve. Similarly, in universities, administrative roles that were created in response to perceived needs have grown into sizable departments maintained for their own survival, often leading to an increasing number of unchecked positions within the system.

Case in Point: Career Services at Universities

One such case of administrative overreach is the career services departments in universities. For instance, during my time at college, I remember an office in the administrative building that seemed entirely unnecessary. Career development services, which schools spent a fortune on, amounted to brochures and suggestions that could easily be obtained online. This was at a time when the internet was still emerging, and the services offered by these departments are even less relevant now.

The Lack of Incentive to Keep Costs Down

The problem is compounded by the fact that universities have no real incentive to keep costs down. Despite hefty tuition hikes and skyrocketing student loan debt, which has increased by over 1000% in the last 20 years, prospective students continue to enroll in these institutions. The student loan industry, which cannot be discharged in bankruptcy, profits handsomely from this situation, further exacerbating the issue.

Post-Justification Creep

In an environment where there is little financial pressure to economize, those with positions that are not truly needed can justify their existence by spending time on activities that appear necessary. Ancillary entities, such as school loan outfits, capitalize on the risk-free nature of student loan lending, further contributing to the overspending culture.

Beyond Government and Industry Influence

Another colloquial argument often used to defend the overstaffing of universities is that students demand all sorts of services, clubs, and activities. However, as I mentioned earlier, the list of amenities provided by universities seldom influences a student's choice. In reality, students prioritize elements that directly impact their education and future job prospects, such as course quality and graduate employment rates.

Student Entrepreneurship and Socialization

The notion that students need organized extracurricular activities provided by paid staff is a skewed interpretation of what college should be. Students have historically organized and managed their own social and professional networks. This is why Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg a college student who saw a gap in the market and filled it himself. Equipping students with the skills to be self-sufficient and innovative is far more valuable than providing them with pre-packaged solutions.

Conclusion and Call to Action

This trend requires serious examination and action from university administrators. The focus should be on cutting unnecessary expenditures while maintaining the core educational mission. Incentivizing deans and administrators to streamline their operations could lead to significant cost savings. It is time to reassess the balance between administrative staff and faculty, and cut non-essential positions. Only then can universities provide a truly valuable and cost-effective education.