In 2019, Riverside University announced a comprehensive 'Academic Excellence Initiative' that eliminated twelve graduate programs and reduced faculty ...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
In 2019, Riverside University announced a comprehensive 'Academic Excellence Initiative' that eliminated twelve graduate programs and reduced faculty positions across multiple departments. University officials stated that these changes were designed to 'enhance educational quality by focusing resources on our strongest academic areas.' However, some faculty members argue that the initiative was primarily motivated by budget pressures rather than academic considerations.
Which quotation from a faculty senate report best supports the faculty members' argument about the university's motivation?
'Three months before announcing the Academic Excellence Initiative, Riverside commissioned McKinsey & Associates to conduct a detailed analysis of cost per credit hour across all academic programs, with results delivered by August 2019.'
'Following implementation of the Academic Excellence Initiative, Riverside reported that average class sizes increased from 18 to 24 students, while student satisfaction surveys showed minimal changes in educational experience ratings.'
'The Academic Excellence Initiative resulted in approximately $8.2 million in annual savings, according to Riverside's 2020 financial report, though the university simultaneously increased spending on athletic facilities by $12 million.'
'Faculty affected by the Academic Excellence Initiative were offered early retirement packages or opportunities to transfer to remaining programs, with most choosing retirement due to uncertainty about future budget cuts.'
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'In 2019, Riverside University announced a comprehensive 'Academic Excellence Initiative' that eliminated twelve graduate programs and reduced faculty positions across multiple departments.' |
|
| 'University officials stated that these changes were designed to 'enhance educational quality by focusing resources on our strongest academic areas.'' |
|
| 'However, some faculty members argue that the initiative was primarily motivated by budget pressures rather than academic considerations.' |
|
Part B: Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: There's a disagreement about whether Riverside University's Academic Excellence Initiative was truly motivated by educational quality (as officials claim) or by budget pressures (as faculty argue).
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- To support the faculty argument, we need evidence showing the university was focused on financial concerns when making these decisions
- This could include documentation of financial analysis, budget problems, or indication that money was the primary consideration
'Three months before announcing the Academic Excellence Initiative, Riverside commissioned McKinsey & Associates to conduct a detailed analysis of cost per credit hour across all academic programs, with results delivered by August 2019.'
✗ Incorrect
- Shows the university commissioned detailed cost analysis just before announcing the initiative
- This directly supports the faculty argument by demonstrating budget considerations were actively studied right before the decision
'Following implementation of the Academic Excellence Initiative, Riverside reported that average class sizes increased from 18 to 24 students, while student satisfaction surveys showed minimal changes in educational experience ratings.'
✗ Incorrect
- Describes outcomes after implementation rather than original motivations
- Class size and satisfaction data don't speak to what motivated the decision
'The Academic Excellence Initiative resulted in approximately $8.2 million in annual savings, according to Riverside's 2020 financial report, though the university simultaneously increased spending on athletic facilities by $12 million.'
✗ Incorrect
- Shows the initiative saved money but focuses on spending afterward
- Doesn't establish that budget pressures motivated the original decision
'Faculty affected by the Academic Excellence Initiative were offered early retirement packages or opportunities to transfer to remaining programs, with most choosing retirement due to uncertainty about future budget cuts.'
✗ Incorrect
- Focuses on what happened to affected faculty rather than university motivations
- These are consequences, not evidence of original reasoning