Case Analysis: MBA at Strutledge

Jason Oliver
Case Study 1.2
Module 1

Case Analysis: Whither an MBA at Strutledge
4/30/15
I). Background
Strutledge is a small private arts school located about 50 miles outside a major urban area. At this time, the school does not offer a graduate or undergraduate degree in business although they do teach some business classes. This school is considering implementing a MBA program in hopes to help lower its costs as well as bringing in new students since enrollments are decreasing. The President hopes that she and the Board of Regents can come to a mutual, strategic decision that benefits the school and faculty. If the program does get approved, it would employ local teachers to teach this program.
II). Problem As stated above, student costs are increasing and the overall enrollment of students have gradually decreased. This college does offer some business courses, but there is not degree related. This is a school relatively close that does offer an MBA program. The college is debating if it should possibly offer a different MBA degree that can offer students the opportunity to get into a different market or niche. In addition, another problem is that there is currently no staffing available for this program.
III) Case Study Questions
A. What action would you recommend to the Board of Regents?
B. How should Strutledge go about making a strategic decision such as this?
IV) Solutions As stated earlier, this school does not have adequate staffing for the new potential program. If it can employ local teachers, it would easily be able to support the new program without any additional relocation costs, as well as establishing a connection between the university and the local community. The school could also make financial sacrifices for the short run that might benefit in the long run. By offering things like a tuition rate lock or exploring other avenues it might be able to save the students money while still increasing their revenue. For this program to be successful, the university must employ a program that is smaller and more appealing to the students so that it can attract more students and increase their enrollment. By doing this, it will need to be made around the local businesses and what they would like to see out of the programs so that it will draw perspective students away from the larger university. The smaller program will allow students to have smaller classrooms and allow the instructors to give their full attention when teaching and providing any additional assistance that may be required. They might be able to advertise and change their mission statement to more fit perspective students. By changing and revamping their outlook, this might be able to reach out and draw new students in and providing a more student friendly environment by offering those new technological advances that might not be offered at the other school. Since the Board has started to see the value of a business MBA start to decrease, it might be worth looking into a Master’s program that the other university might not offer. This might include but not limited to a Master’s of Science or Health Care. This is another way to draw perspective students in from the other university by offering them something that the other school does not and doesn’t make them move or have to take online classes from an out of state university to get their degree. Furthermore, it might be worthwhile to build a branch of the university closer to the other college to allow students the opportunity to enroll at your university without having to worry about traveling to the main campus. Strutledge should weigh all options and look at all avenues before implementing a new program such as this. It should research what it would cost to fund such a program and decide if it thinks it can succeed. They should make sure that the students will fill classes and that it can pay for the additional faculty that it must take on. If there is any doubt or the numbers don’t add up to where it needs to be, then Strutledge needs to explore other options in order to draw new students in and newer ways or processes to lower the costs associated with its current programs. Detailed analysis of the other university will help determine whether any new program will be successful.
V). Conclusion There are a number of ways for Strutledge to draw new students in while decreasing the tuition costs. New programs and processes as stated above are a positive start to this new goal. It is important for this university to look at the long term goals to ensure that they are attainable and that they can be sustained during this time.
VI). References
Barnes, K. (2014, March 7). How Colleges and Universities Can Increase Enrollment with Hyperlocal Marketing. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://www.hobsons.com/blog/blog-detail/how-colleges-and-universities-can-increase-enrollment-with-hyperlocal-marke
Fretwell, G. (2013, November 5). Six ways enrollment managers can improve college student retention immediately. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://blog.noellevitz.com/
Maslowsky, C. (2012, November 23). Top Five Ways to Market Higher Education to Adult Students. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://www.evolllution.com/opinions/top-five-ways-to-market-higher-education-to-adult-students/

References: Barnes, K. (2014, March 7). How Colleges and Universities Can Increase Enrollment with Hyperlocal Marketing. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://www.hobsons.com/blog/blog-detail/how-colleges-and-universities-can-increase-enrollment-with-hyperlocal-marke Fretwell, G. (2013, November 5). Six ways enrollment managers can improve college student retention immediately. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://blog.noellevitz.com/ Maslowsky, C. (2012, November 23). Top Five Ways to Market Higher Education to Adult Students. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from http://www.evolllution.com/opinions/top-five-ways-to-market-higher-education-to-adult-students/