A thorough comparison of peer institutions provides a useful benchmark but also examples of creative solutions and lessons learned from other Big Ten campuses. Data collection continues, but the following conclusions are possible at this point.

• UMN is at the bottom of the Big Ten in availability of child care. Of 12 campuses with on-campus child care, Minnesota serves the fewest number of children at 140. Most serve more than 200 children. The top institutions—Penn State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ohio State—all have at least 3 times the capacity as UMN, with centers serving from 435-543 children.
• Of the 12 institutions with on-campus child care, all self-operate at least one child care or child development center. Some institutions use a hybrid model, running their own centers and contracting with other providers.
• Childcare services are often located in Human Resources or other central administrative units, or at least supported centrally, and are not the sole responsibility of one college.
• There are no examples of closing a successful center, particularly one with such a stellar reputation, to restart with an unknown partner in the business of child care.

Lessons from other campuses

• Institutions using a hybrid model are still investing substantial resources to provide these services. Investments include management fees, providing space and/or building maintenance and administrative services (waitlist management, tuition payment, etc). As noted in original memo, the Penn State case is particularly compelling. The University has recently resumed management of center from a private company after management fees rose above the previous University subsidy, and faculty and staff expressed significant concerns. This experience raises questions about the claims that an RFP will result in savings to the University.
• University of Iowa and Northwestern University do not have on-campus childcare, but there are facilities associated with their hospitals. (Both institutions recommend centers in the community that do not give priority to university employees, although Northwestern employees get discounts.) The initiative of hospitals providing childcare suggests a competitive need in the Medical School and Academic Health Center to offer this employee benefit.
• The pros and cons of various structures seen across the Big Ten should be considered before taking action at UMN. Some compelling ideas from other institutions include: administratively housing in one school but funding centrally (Wisconsin), making the director a tenure-track faculty position (Illinois), and partnering with local city (Maryland) or school district (Michigan State).