Enrollment Network at Cornell
The network graphs that the book presents start small. The implications of each node and its relationship to other nodes, via edges, can easily be seen and described. When network graphs become much larger, clarity in the data starts to deteriorate. Earlier this year Kim Weedon and Benjamin Cornwell published a paper on the structure of enrollment networks, this case study would help universities make reopening plans in light of coronavirus.
Weedon and Cornwell show that though 2.4% of student pairs enroll in the same course together, 59 can reach others in two steps. This shows low embeddedness in individual nodes, but a large scale clustering effects. If a virus outbreak were to occur with normal enrollment networks, the virus would have many alternate paths to reach various nodes.
While many majors tend to cluster together, the above graph shows that these clusters are hard to identify. There are many courses (e.g. Introduction to Wines) that enroll hundreds of students across various majors and colleges. While the above graph is useful in explaining the embeddedness of the nodes, due to the graphical overlap and tightness of the network, textual explanations are necessary. The study’s findings were that hybrid models of instruction reduce connectivity among undergraduates, but still leave various pathways for contagion to spread. This paper, in part, is why Cornell has moved forward with a hybrid teaching model.
Note for Graph: Light gray squares represent courses, and larger gray squares with red borders indicate courses with ≥ 100 students enrolled. Students are represented by small circles with colors identifying their major(s): yellow = humanities, arts, and design; dark blue = social sciences; orange = STEM; red = multidisciplinary/mixed; green= undeclared; light blue = business and law. Students’ enrollment in particular courses is indicated with light gray lines. This diagram excludes 338 nodes that were not connected to this main component.
Source: https://inequality.cornell.edu/new-paper-asks-should-universities-resume-face-face-instruction-fall