Pandemic and other social changes are causing parents and students to rethink the value of a college education.
The high price of some universities and the need for costly student loans are causing a great deal of rethinking about benefits.
Lower cost community colleges, transferring later to universities, and job training institutes, are becoming possible alternatives.
In addition, politically extreme trustees and alumni are working to influence curriculum at some institutions, causing these institutions to lose some of their appeal for many people.
Professors with controversial ideas are feeling that academic freedom is being threatened, and elect early retirement or leave the academic profession.
Budget pressures also can result in widespread incentives to retire early.
Teaching face-to-face vs. on-line teaching is also being debated… with some professors thinking that their subject-matter works just fine on-line…others think otherwise.
What to do with over-built facilities is also an issue in some institutions, especially with many staff able to work from home.
As a result, part-time or adjunct faculty (often less academically prepared) are being hired to replace full-time professors with traditional permanent (usually called tenure-track) positions.
While reducing costs, this will usually reduce the number of significant research activities… a traditional feature of most important universities.
Athletic visibility and television contracts can now become important for both student recruiting and income.