...Strutledge is a small private liberal arts school located within 50 miles of a major urban area in the southeast United States. As with most institutions of higher education, Strutledge's costs are rising and its enrollments are decreasing. In an effort to expand its student base, build valuable ties with area businesses, and simply survive, the Board of Regents is considering establishing an MBA program. Currently no undergraduate degree is given in business, although business courses are taught. The dean of the school visualizes the MBA as an interdisciplinary program emphasizing problem solving, communication, and global awareness. Faculty expertise would be supplemented by instructors from local industry. The use of local faculty would better connect the university with the business community and provide opportunities for employment of the program's graduates. In terms of competition, a major state-funded university that offers an MBA is located in the adjacent urban area. Strutledge hopes that state budget cutbacks and perceptions of overcrowded classrooms and overworked professors at public institutions will open the door for a new entrant into the market. The Board of Regents also feels that the school's small size will allow Strutledge to tailor the MBA program more closely to area business needs. Several members of the Board are concerned about recent reports of the dwindling value of an MBA and are wondering if a better niche could be found with another graduate degree...
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...Study: Whither an MBA at Strutledge By: Ashley Tinkham 1.2 Case Study: Whither an MBA at Strutledge Tinkham, 1 President of Strutledge, After reviewing the Board of Regents’ plan and reasons behind the desire to implement an MBA program at Strutledge I have determined there to be a lack of information to make a decision at this time. The information to make a supportive decision on whether to implement an MBA program is not sufficient enough and increases the risks of failure of the program. Failure or an unsuccessful implementation of an MBA program at Strutledge can be catastrophic to the reputation of the school. Thus making the situation of rising costs and decreasing enrollment worse. The Board of Regents could be on the right track of implementing a MBA program to attract more students but this can only be determined through data. The question that truly needs to be answered is if the area needs or desires a MBA program and only if the answer is yes to that question should the idea of implementing an MBA program be explored as an option. My suggestion is that the Board of Regents organize their thoughts around why they think an MBA program would be beneficial to Strutledge. From what I can gather an MBA program would help to attract students who have already graduated from their undergraduate studies and are looking for more, but how else would it benefit Strutledge? When considering implementing an MBA program...
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