A Higher Ed Ecosystem

The dynamics of a university ecosystem. Researchers at Washington State University have discovered that relationships in university systems can be organized systematically according to ecological principles. After sampling two representative public university systems, WSU and the University of California, they found that the relationship among noninstructional employees, faculty and students often becomes one of predator and prey. At WSU, when increased student enrollments press the university’s carrying capacity, student numbers begin to prey on faculty numbers for resources needed to expand carrying capacity. At the same time, noninstructional employees continue to increase at a constant rate. Ray Huffaker, faculty member with the WSU Department of Agricultural Economics, can discuss in detail the community dynamics that occur when staff, faculty and students compete for enrollment and other resources. Huffaker can be reached at 509.335.3048 or e-mail to huffaker@wsu.edu.