MEMO

To: Charlotte Thornton, University of Tulsa Student

From: Carlos D. Acosta-Ponce, University of Tulsa Research Assistant
Subject: The differences and similarities between universities and businesses
Date: Wednesday, January 19th 2017
The purpose of this memo is to present my finding on the past and future of businesses and
universities, and how the similarities and differences can offer a solution to todays problems.
These four scholarly articles provide much insight on the most significant issues at hand and
what is demanded for the future.
Summary
In these four articles, I focus on the alternating views between businesses and universities. Future
trends and growth have caused increasing tuition costs and debt providing a problem to
universities across the country. The focus needs to be on making changes to provide a better
future for students and continue the reality of the American Dream.
Discussion
In the article Why Cant Universities Be More Like Businesses, it offered an important
viewpoint on what truly are the similarities and differences between universities and businesses.
Robert Allen focused on how universities could benefit from modeling after long-standing,
successful companies based on one simple keycore ideology. This is seen is both universities
and businesses alike; what is the true purpose of each? While it is this core ideology paired
The Odd Couple: University and Business by Georgia Nugent provides a more economical
standpoint, beginning with two points. Firstly, like myself, many individuals in the university
will negate that a university is a business. On the other hand, those who pay the tuition have
been thinking otherwise for quite some time. If it looks like a business and acts like a business,
what is it? Furthermore, university business seems a bit oxymoronic, but higher education does
have a bottom line. American public today values higher education more highly than ever and
yet is more frustrated than ever by its cost. The university business seems to be a scapegoat
for the increasing tuition costs.
Five Things that Surprised a Chronicle Reporter by Goldie Blumenstyk offers a contrasting
perspective from the first article presented. The American Dream seems further today than ever
before. Rising student debt and tuition prices have made it nearly impossible for the average
middle-class family. A student from a wealthier family is nine times more likely to earn a
bachelors degree than one from a poorer family is deeply saddening. Since 1980-2011,
universities have doubled in enrollment alone. Intercollegiate sports also have a big price tag,

and they are not exactly profiting from ticket sales, only 12 out of 228 universities to be exact.
There is a silver lining, big data is helping tailor the future of education for students;
furthermore, potential access to open resources and free education are still on the table down
the road.
Furthermore, the potential for the future of universities can be modified and transformed. In the
article, Disrupting and Transforming the University, by Henry Lucas, he focuses on online
learning. Technology-enhanced instruction places more responsibility on the student for
learning and less on the faculty member. It allows more students globally to have access to free
resources. Although, this proves to be an issue with business. Universities need to be conscious
and reinvent strategies to continue to earn profits based on these future trends. Every university
needs to be concerned because it is not clear how different types of schools will be impacted
(Lucas).
SUMMARY
These four articles distinguish how the past and future trends are shaping education across
America. Rising tuition costs and crippling student debt have become the forefront of education
and universities are struggling to provide solutions. Although often not thought of as a
business, universities need to be able to balance a bottom line and offer affordable ways to
get an education in todays time.
Recommendation
At your convenience, I am free to discuss the issue with you. Please feel to contact me on my
personal line at (713)-828-9259 or via email charlotte-thornton@utulsa.edu. I appreciate your
help greatly.