Corporatization of American higher education institutions produces multiple opportunities for unethical practices in recruitment and admissions as institutions compete for students. Viewing higher education through a business model lens helps to improve rankings and increase enrollment, however “is it wise to redirect the efforts” of staff and faculty away from the “core responsibility” (Natale & Doran, 2012, p. 187) of education? Treating education as a commodity designed to meet students’ and families’ expectations of career attainment opens the door to corporatization of American higher education (Blumenstyk, 2015; Selingo, 2013). “The quest for high ethics standards in education is a goal never permanently achieved” (Johnson, 2012, p. 493) which constitutes a need for ethical considerations related to recruiting and admission practices, college matching, undocumented and international students, and institutional marketing strategies.
Unfortunately, higher education recruitment and admission practices have “become less fair, honest, and friendly” (Hodum, 2012, p. 38) leaving students and parents more vulnerable and anxious about the college experience. Higher education leaders must review past practices to insure ethical policies. The lowering of admission standards to accept high performing athletes and students from wealthy families must stop. Admission officers should strive for the ethical balance of equity and equality in recruitment admission practices. The concept of equity considers the difference between groups and the lack of equal treatment among groups. Equality offers impartial treatment (Caldwell, Shapiro, & Gross, 2007). Adopting equity and equality allows higher education professionals to support students in finding a good college match and increases the likelihood for student success.
American immigration and societal globalization creates a need for ethical considerations related to undocumented and international students. Approximately 65,000 undocumented students graduate from American high schools each year requiring attention to the “many unresolved issues confronted by state legislative, judicial, and academic officials” (Adams & Boyne, 2015, p. 62) related to the admission of undocumented students into higher education institutions. Admissions officers have a moral “obligation” to “sort out” (Muth, 2015, p. 50) international students with the skills to succeed from those who make fraudulent claims via unethical Independent Education Consultants (IECs). Regardless of citizen status, students interested in attending American higher education institutions deserve ethical treatment.
Higher education marketing practices also warrant increased considerations to insure ethical behaviors. The student-consumer paradigm and recent economic crisis create a need for competitive marketplace strategies to insure the survival of higher education institutions (Gibbs & Murphy, 2009; Hodum, 2012; Natale & Doran, 2012). Institution representatives must remain “apart from the vulgar and meaningless bustle of the great world” (Silber, 2012, p. 44) and portray ethical behavior in business practices. All higher education professionals must insure the disbursement of accurate and complete information and data. Overall, “students deserve to be protected from unethical practices and behaviors” (Hodum, 2012, p. 39) utilized in higher education recruitment and admissions.
Recruiters and admissions professionals can combat unethical practices by adopting a platform of social responsibility in higher education and upholding personal and professional codes of ethics. Frequent assessments of the institution’s systems and practices through an ethics audit and the implementation of accountability measures will insure higher education institutions’ core values (Gibbs & Murphy, 2009). Unethical behavior in higher education institutions “betrays the values that form the moral basis for the educational process” (Johnson, 2012, p. 479) creating a danger for society and a continued need for ethical considerations.
How will adopting a mindset of social responsibility impact the future of higher education? View t
Social Responsibility
Bridgett Holmes, MA, MT-BC
Doctoral Student, Doctorate in Leadership Program
Hardin-Simmons University
Bridgett.R.Holmes@hsutx.edu
References
Adams, A., & Boyne, K. S. (2015). Access to higher education for undocumented and “dacamented” students: The current state of affairs. Indiana International & Comparative Law Review, 25(1), 47-62.
Blumenstyk, G. (2015). American higher education in crisis? What everyone needs to know. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Caldwell, C., Shapiro, J. P., & Gross, S. J. (2007). Ethical leadership in higher education admission: Equality vs. equity. Journal of College Admission, 195, 14-19.
Gibbs, P., & Murphy, P. E. (2009). Ethical marketing of higher education: What might be done to encourage its adoption? Higher Education Management and Policy, 21(3), 75-90.
Hodum, R. L. (2012). A normative code of conduct for admissions officers. New Directions for Higher Education, 2012(160), 29-39.
Johnson, V. R. (2012). Higher education, corruption, and reform. Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, 4(1), 478-495.
Muth, P. (2015). Already guilty. Changing our perception of Chinese applicants. The Journal of College Admission, 228, 47-50.
Natale, S. M., & Doran, C. (2012). Marketization of education: An ethical dilemma. Journal of Business Ethics, 105(2), 187-196.
Silber, J. R. (2012). Marketing higher education: The survival value of integrity. Journal of College Admission, 214, 40-44.