Complexity, Not Bloat:

Rethinking Staff Growth in Modern Universities

Last week, the Boston Globe published a story on "Administrative Growth" in Massachusetts colleges and universities. While the article is behind a paywall, here are the key points:

Photo by insung yoon on Unsplash

• Massachusetts colleges have added 2,784 full-time professional staff jobs since 2018, compared to only 547 new full-time teaching positions.

• Critics argue this "administrative bloat" is driving up college costs, with some schools employing nearly as many staff as they have students.

• Universities defend the growth, citing increased student services, regulatory compliance, research support, and the need to manage more complex operations.

• Some positive outcomes of administrative expansion include improved career services and mental health resources for students.

• Experts suggest this trend is unlikely to reverse soon, but warn of a potential "reckoning moment" as scrutiny of administrative growth increases.