A spokesman for the group then presents the decision, and the process by which it was reached, to the entire class. In addition to being a thought-provoking exercise, the instructors say, case studies are an important means of teaching students to collaborate with colleagues. The class looks at issues such as financial options under periods of austerity, higher education's costs to students, theory of cost sharing, arguments for high tuition and high financial aid, and the rising relative cost phenomenon. Sessions also are devoted to federal and state funding for higher education, including budgetary procedures and contextual issues such as the state of New York's economy and public vs. private funding. The class spends a lot of time thinking about basic issues.
Students also look at relative priorities, such as balancing social service vs. other needs.