The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities joins higher education leaders in advancing greater transparency, affordability, and trust for students and families

CUMU has endorsed the Student-Centered Enrollment Management Principles, a framework helping colleges and universities make enrollment, pricing, and financial aid practices clearer and more responsive to student and family needs. This work reflects our commitment to advancing practices that expand economic mobility, regional economic impact, and community well-being. In doing so, CUMU joins a growing coalition of institutions and higher education organizations backing the principles.

The Student-Centered Enrollment Management Principles establish five areas for institutional action:

  • Access and affordability: All students, especially those with limited financial background and resources, believe that the door to higher education is open and see expanded pathways of opportunity.
  • Tuition and cost transparency: Students receive clear, upfront pricing information before they are asked to commit to an institution. ‍
  • Aid and scholarship lifecycle sustainability: Students experience affordability as an ongoing commitment, from recruitment through graduation.‍
  • Value and strong return on investment: Students trust higher education institutions to help them pursue meaningful jobs and careers, supported by clear, straightforward communication about completion rates, post-graduation outcomes, and the broader societal and economic benefits of their education.
  • Use of personal information: Students understand what personal information is collected, why it is collected, how it is used, and how long it is kept. Students are informed about whether and how they can review, correct, or remove their personal information.

Strada convened the initiative, which was co-led by the American Council on Education, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. An advisory group of enrollment management leaders and practitioners supported the work through listening sessions, working drafts, stakeholder engagement, focus groups, and survey research.

Review the full Strada report.