Comments on: How will gas prices affect Admission?

By: Lacey Cook

Lacey Cook — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:43:24 +0000

Gas prices these days are just getting higher, i think the government should focus more on alternative energy.**’

By: Toby

Toby — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:46:39 +0000

Brad…only time will tell!!

If gas prices and delivery of content are the variables, perhaps one of the other major factors that will help shape your enrollment success is the strength in your marketing delivery and execution. Moreover, the ability for Butler to target a ‘local’ student that won’t feel the gas-pinch as much may be part of the equation.

Again…only time will tell!

By: Brad J. Ward

Brad J. Ward — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:24:25 +0000

Toby – thanks for the comment and for swinging by Squaredpeg!

It’s interesting to note that online enrollment is increasing. With Butler U having no online classes or any plans for online classes, I wonder how we will be affected as we try to maintain our ’strong, rich, tradition history’. Will we miss out, or will enrollment remain steady?

By: Toby

Toby — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:17:23 +0000

This is a very relevant topic. In fact, since you posted this, there has been a flurry of news items on the subject. However, one interesting thing that has happened is that enrollments have increased for some schools.

One might expect a decline in enrollments (which for some will be a certainty) but for others, their online enrollments have spiked this summer.

From another vantage point, how will the cost of gas affect school’s recruitment campaigns? Sending recruiters out across the country is an expensive venture…one sure to get more costly this fall!

By: Brad J. Ward

Brad J. Ward — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:21:26 +0000

@Mark, Tiffany, D.W.- I brought it up in a meeting and wasn’t told NO right away, so that’s a good thing. We are also considering a ~$300 airline voucher if you live outside of a certain radius of campus (500+ miles, I believe).

@Brian – looking forward to the podcasts!

@Todd – Keep us updated on that, I was hoping to do the same when I pitched my Lifecasters, but that’s infinitely on the backburner I’m afraid.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:08:21 +0000

We’re playing with Ustream to see if the campus tour can be done without gas. Also plan to offer off-hour tours using Ustream – campus at night/weekend (dorms, dining, library, sports, etc…).

By: Brian Niles

Brian Niles — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:14:29 +0000

Just had this conversation on an upcoming podcast we’ll post this week and next – will students look closer to home and will colleges cut down on their travel?

Keep an eye out on our TargetX podcast for those episodes of interviews with Joe Merante and Dennis Whelan.

By: D.W.

D.W. — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:15:23 +0000

We’ve floated the idea a few times of teaming up with one of the local oil refineries to give gas cards to visiting students/families as an incentive to help them come. It’s never worked up until now, but I’m thinking a few in admissions will now be more receptive.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 02:08:29 +0000

This is great stuff! We just had a similar conversation about this during our planning for next year. Not just what can the college do for our visitors, but how does gas impact how many schools we visit and how we plan for them.

By: Mark Greenfield

Mark Greenfield — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:29:58 +0000

Brad – I’m going to back to my days of being an economics major and say that these are very relevant questions. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE IMPACT THAT GAS PRICES WILL HAVE ON ALL ASPECTS OF OUR ECONOMY. And yes, this includes the college recruitment process. I’m afraid high gas prices are here to stay and it will be awhile until alternative energy sources are available.

I love your idea about a gas card – it’s very Purple Cow. The campus visit is a very important part of recruiting. For us, there is a huge impact on yield. So anything to get them to attend a campus visit is worthwhile.