​Agenda

Keeping up with the increasing rate of change in higher education is essential for effective planning and resource management.  To that end, in June 2011 the Pacific region offered a symposium titled ‘Trends in Higher Education’ in Claremont, California. The dynamic discussion among the 160 participants and the five speakers at that event demonstrated how critical these issues are, and several participants suggested that this conversation needed to be continued.  ‘Trends in Higher Education II’ will build on the California conversation, with four Arizona –based speakers continuing the provocative discussion. Arizona has been at the forefront of the demographic and economic boom and bust cycles; and the headquarters of the fast growing, University of Phoenix, the largest for-profit private university in the country.  Higher education is experiencing fundamental changes in demographics, funding and economics, diversity, access and relevancy, technology, the impact of globalization, even long term sustainability.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Access the impact of technology on higher education, including learning-content delivery and teaching environments, to better understand and anticipate trends for technologies of the future.
2. Identify trends, in demographics and economics especially in the sunbelt states which continue to experience significant growth, and ramifications for campus and facilities planning.
3. Understand the implications of changing student expectations, workforce demographics, and marketplace demand on future planning for programs, facilities and institutional resources.
4. Compare the changing landscape of higher education institutions (private and public, for-profit and not-for profit) and consider the implications of demands for greater accountability in the face of increasing need and expectations for higher education.

Symposium participants will participate in an open panel discussion with the presenters from the morning session. The discussion will begin with a summary of critical points from the morning presentations, and observations on change and trends based on years of polling Arizona voters. Then the panelists will address questions from the facilitator and the audience/participants to provoke engaging conversations about the future of higher education.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Distinguish between trends which may impact their institutions, including those which primarily affect community colleges, certificate or degree completion programs; and those which have a greater effect on traditional four year colleges or major research universities.
2. Identify the role integrated planning can play in supporting effective institutional responses to change as they navigate toward the future.
3. Observe the changes and issues other participants have faced at their institutions and gain first-hand information about how they are responding and their strategies for future planning.
4. Implement direct responses to changing learning/teaching technology by applying or adapting examples, models and case studies shared by panelists and participants.
5. Experience first hand, ASU’s responses to change on the Tempe campus including: sustainability initiatives for campus buildings, walkability and renewable power (solar, wind); and the application of new technologies to create unique learning environments which are reserving as a resource for ASU and the greater community (outcome of the planned ASU tours).

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in one of these tours.

ASU Points of Pride and Solar Initiatives
Experience the traditions, programs, and campus locations that embody the university’s commitment to academic excellence, inclusion, and societal impact during this walking tour to many of the campuses points of pride. Such as: Wrigley Hall, home of the Global Institute of Sustainability, Coor Hall solar installation, and various campus arboretum projects. During our tour we will also learn about the unparalleled efforts to install nearly 20MW of solar power across ASU’s four campuses by 2014. ASU reached 10MW of solar-energy capacity on Sept. 3, 2011, which currently provides 10.3 MW of power – enough clean, renewable energy to power 2,500 Arizona homes for one year. By mid-March 2012, all of ASU's four campuses will be solar power producers with a total capacity of nearly 16MWdc.

Decision Theater
Tour this world-class research facility and decision lab for exploring and understanding decision-making in uncertain times. The faculty, scientists and students at Decision Theater develop and employ cutting edge decision-support tools that help stakeholders look across and within complex systems. The decision support tools and immersive environments are uniquely created to bring clarity and understanding to complex and often disparate sets of information. Decision Theater enables decision makers to see things differently, gain consensus and make better-informed decisions.