Gap Analysis: Global Communications
Over this past weekend there was an interesting article in the Boston Globe titled “New men on campus” (Schworm, 2007). The story was about the entrance of the first men to Regis College of Weston, MA, the last all-girls college in Massachusetts.
Facing dwindling enrollment and a precarious financial outlook, the 80-year-old Weston college announced last year it would open its doors to men this fall to broaden its appeal. The move helped the college attract a near-record incoming class of 275 students, up more than 100 from last year.
Mary Jane England, Regis's president and a 1959 graduate, said the choice, while unavoidable, was bittersweet. "It was clear that if we wanted to survive, we had to grow," she said. "We would have liked to stay all women's, but it just wasn't practical. Times have changed."
The debate over going coed is a familiar one across the country. One year ago, Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Virginia caused an outcry when it decided to admit men and change its name to Randolph College.
England said the backlash at Regis has been minimal. She said the college consulted faculty and alumni well in advance of the move and let prospective students know they were considering the change.
This last statement is particularly interesting where Dr. England summarizes how the college consulted with the various stakeholders before a decision was made.
Global Communication (GC) is at a crossroads. The senior leadership has made the decision to outsource certain elements of their operations in a move to become a global company, cut costs, and improve the performance of their stock. One unfortunate consequence of this maneuver is it will cost union jobs. During ...