commodification

 What is commodification? Do your students talk about their return on investment? What about the impact of COVID-19? In chapter 10, Kennan introduces commodification through a series of lenses. First, he offers foundational insights on commodification in higher education focusing on three key points: recruitment of international students “to bring fresh cash from new consumers into the university” (p. 173); hiring more and more adjunct faculty as a “way of reducing expenses” (p. 173); and administrators providing “more and more of the university’s budget for student services and recruitment than for student teaching” (p. 173). He further discusses the debate over commodification and accountability, ethical concerns and commodification, commodification and the mission of higher education, and commodification and for-profit universities. There are many valid points made in this chapter and as current or future higher education administrators, we need to be aware of issues related to commodification and understand the mindset of various stakeholders in higher education who consider the goods of education as marketable commodities. Our leadership practices are influenced by the reality of current university culture whereever we work. Objectives The student will: 1. consider ethics and commodification, 2. consider commodification in higher education, and 3. complete a case study assignment. Required Readings Keenan Chapter 10 – Commodification