This is an 100% verifiable fact. He is the force behind both schools jumping in “ranks” and Tulane has “slipped” in his absence. Can’t decide if he is genius or evil genius 
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I was just referring to the number of applications. Not ranking. Just speculating of course, not the sole reason.
Actually, Northeastern has slipped in the US News rankings since his arrival. Although that is not his fault. The “force” behind Northeastern’s rise in the rankings is President Joseph Aoun.
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When people encounter something beyond their comprehension, they often try to make sense of it by relating it to concepts that fit into their existing worldview, or by relying on oversimplified assumptions. Is Northeastern’s rise solely, or primarily, because they are geniuses at marketing their co-op program, while other schools are just sitting idly, their hands tied by some mysterious force? To me, Northeastern is like the guy currently in every headline—no matter how much he is hated and despised, he is a disruptor who pushes his agenda through with brutal efficiency. If one only cares about rankings, prestige, or “reputation among peers”, just remove Northeastern from your list. Other peers from the old world are not going to like Northeastern because it’s the disruptor. Northeastern is the one stirring up the old world, constantly adapting and innovating.
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Drexel started its coop program in 1919…so I’d be hard pressed to describe coop as “disruptive” since it’s been in place in higher ed for over a century.
But carry on…
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Do people hate and despise Northeastern?
In what sense? Do you mean the co-ops or something else?
Do you mean by this they are influencing the way other colleges are likely to conduct their business going forward? In what ways? Do you think other colleges will adopt some of Northeastern’s strategies and, if so, which ones?
Do you mean administrative efficiency? Are their administrative costs (relative to instructional costs) low compared to other similar sized universities? Is their administration/bureaucracy small compared to other universities? Or do you mean something else?
“Brutal efficiency” to me would have been expanding the size of the student body without engaging in expensive acquisitions and buying up satellite campuses. Do what SNHU did- dramatically increase the number of tuition paying students without adding the capital expenses of all those old buildings, obsolete labs, etc. that they inherited during the various acquisitions. There is nothing brutally efficient about increasing your student population while your operating costs and capital expenses explode… that’s hardly “new math”.
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The first coop school was the University of Cincinnati in 1906. Coop used to be looked down on by the academic elite. It still is by some.
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Being first can definitely be disruptive, but being disruptive can be in different ways. A lot of times, true disruption comes from challenging the status quo or changing the game in ways others haven’t thought of yet—not just from rushing to be first. It’s about how you’re different, not necessarily how quickly you show up. It’s about the impact you make. It’s about offering something new, or better, or something people didn’t even know they needed. BTW, one can easily find the definition of oversimplification by google. 
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Yeah, last I looked Northeastern had a $1.5 billion endowment and roughly $800 million in outstanding debt. Glad it’s able to meet its bills and employ a lot of talented people; equally glad that they are finding ways to match kids with jobs, but give me a million dollars and fifty years to pay it back and I can disrupt quite a few things myself.
Done and done. I’d LOVE to see what you’d do with that kind of stake!!!
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What I notice is the snarky comments about Northeastern come from people with no personal experience. The NU families I know are very positive about the school. Very low transfer rate. Sadly, I know several honors graduates from my state’s universities who are unemployed or underemployed.
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Can you clarify how you believe Northeastern has done that? I asked above, but you didn’t respond. I am curious about this. Is it linked to the coops or is it something else?
Sorry, ma’am. I believe enough has already been discussed on this board. Plus, I just realized that one of my comments has been flagged. I’m not sure why, maybe the phrase ‘grocery bill’ has become too sensitive? I guess it doesn’t really matter. I don’t want to offend anyone and would just like to continue enjoying this forum.
This isn’t the politics forum, and the deleted comment only belongs there
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Thanks for the heads-up. I am all good.
An interesting article about Northeastern’s student growth. Touches on crowding, housing shortage in the area, and some issues for some students getting classes. Also shares number of students on Oakland and London campuses.
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By who? These kids NEED work experience and the social skill development of being in a job. The “tech-effect” has stunted so many interpersonal skills in kids these days.
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As is mentioned in the article, one of the old dorms White Hall, had to be demolished for structural reasons. It will be replaced by a 23-story dorm. The old hockey arena, Matthews, is also being replaced with a modern building.
Fun fact: the Midtown Hotel, which is mentioned in the article, can be seen in the movie “Ted” when Mark Wahlberg moves into the hotel after his girlfriend kicks him out.
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