Report visualizes new reality for Idaho colleges
The rivalry between Boise State University and University of Idaho is a long-running tradition in Idaho. Vandals and Broncos sling insults back and forth for their respective schools, with Vandals touting UI’s academic prowess and Broncos flaunting the success of BSU’s football program.
Soon though, UI may lose its claim of dominance. BSU is catching and surpassing UI financial resources, alumni base and enrollment, according to a recent report by Steven Peterson, a clinical assistant economics professor for UI’s College of Business and Economics.
His report indicates BSU is either on par or rapidly catching up to UI in alumni numbers and donations. The report also has BSU surpassing UI in athletic budget, state budgeting and enrollment numbers by 85 percent in 2013.
Vandals may not like to admit it, but it’s time to recognize BSU has shed its community college roots long ago. The success of the college in both students and funding suggests BSU is well on its way — or already has — overtaken UI in growth.
Although UI and BSU are two different universities, the UI community should pay attention to the report. Students who once went to UI are beginning to stay in the Treasure Valley to attend BSU.
And with only 20 percent of the state’s population in the Northern part of the state, UI will need to compete with Southern universities to increase enrollment. Unfortunately for UI, there’s not much the administration can do to compete with BSU’s advantage location in the largest metropoli- tan area in the state.
Peterson’s report also found troubling outcomes for UI. In Peterson’s calculations, UI has not grown in size in 10 years. Since UI is the largest employer in the region, this means the local economy is not growing either.
The immediate temptation for most Vandals when faced with these depressing figures will be to stick their heads in the sand and claim UI’s much-hyped dominance couldn’t have changed. However, as a school, we must take these numbers into consideration while planning UI’s future.
While the economic results of the study may seem troubling, Vandals should take this as a wake-up call. UI’s lack of growth makes recruitment events, such as Vandal Friday, that much more important. While UI may not be the powerhouse it once was, we can help recruit more Vandals by representing all UI has to offer.
–AE