Article
Rethinking university administration
The case for managed services in an era of uncertainty
Feb. 12, 2025 · Authored by Adrienne Larmett
Colleges and universities today face mounting pressures from multiple fronts. Shifting political landscapes, executive orders, regulatory changes, and evolving federal funding priorities are creating unprecedented challenges. With compliance requirements growing, funding becoming less predictable and scrutiny from both government and the public increasing, institutions must reassess how they allocate resources.
At the same time, institutions must remain committed to their core mission: educating and supporting students. Given these realities, leveraging managed services for key administrative operations presents an opportunity for institutions to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and reallocate resources to student-centered initiatives. Now is the time for higher education leaders to embrace new models of operation that allow for agility, sustainability, and long-term success.
Why managed services is a strategic imperative
The notion of managed services in higher education is not new, but its strategic importance has never been more relevant. Institutions are struggling to do more with fewer resources and maintaining large in-house administrative teams is becoming increasingly difficult. By leveraging third-party expertise, institutions can reduce overhead costs, streamline operations and focus their budgets on academic excellence.
Key benefits of managed services for higher education
1. Cost savings and budget reallocation
With declining government support and unpredictable funding streams, institutions need to stretch every dollar. Managed services allow institutions to convert fixed costs into variable costs, eliminating the financial burden of maintaining a large administrative staff while ensuring compliance and operational efficiency. The savings generated can be redirected toward:
