SCUP

Responding to Disruptive Events

A global pandemic. A hurricane. An act of violence. The impacts of disasters, emergencies, and other disruptive events are both immediate and gradual, close-to-home and far-reaching, acute and chronic.

Contingency and Response Planning in Higher Education

If we want to do more than just survive, if higher education wants to thrive, then our preparations must extend past the emergency management office, and our responses must be more than a pivot. We must address the disruptions and turmoil today in a way that keeps us moving towards our envisioned tomorrow. We must act and react . . . together using integrated planning strategies.

FEATURED RESOURCE

JOURNAL ARTICLE
Planning for Instructional Continuity
Develop a Communication and Implementation Strategy Before a Short-Term Class Disruption Happens

When a class is cancelled because of weather, faculty unavailability, IT outage, power outage, or pandemic-related closure, it can result in a loss of instruction. This article details best practices for instructional continuity for many short-term disruptions.

Build Your Culture of Integrated Planning Through Hands-On Learning

Planning Institute Workshop Series
SCUP’s PI workshop series will help you and your team no matter where you are in the planning process. Learn more about the PI.

Integrated Planning Coaching
Get quick, timely problem-solving advice from planning experts with boots-on-the-ground experience. We’re here to help support your institution. Let’s talk! Get in touch.

Related Learning Resources

Tool

An Integrated Approach to Scenario Planning

 No one can predict the future. That doesn’t mean it needs to be a total surprise. This toolkit will walk you step-by-step through scenario planning with instructions, examples, and worksheets that you can use to start scenario planning at your institution immediately.
Conference Recordings

2020 Foresight

 In this presentation, we'll demonstrate a step by step how-to for you to apply on your own campus with a vivid description of deliverables, tools, and 'gotchas.'
Example Plans

Consolidated Business Continuity Plan for Academic Affairs

 Business continuity plan for the institution’s academic affairs.
Conference Presentations

Disasters Happen

 Go beyond theory and concepts to the actual integrated mechanics and step-by-step methodology for developing and maintaining operational-level continuity plans.
Report

Integrated Planning in a VUCA Environment

 For many institutions, institutional viability and constituents’ health and wellbeing are the most pressing concerns—strategic plans are no longer top of mind. How to move forward? SCUP suggests that the principles of good planning serve as a blueprint for responding to COVID-19.
Conference Presentations

Risk Management and Campus Resilience

 With climate change bringing dramatic demographic, economic, and weather changes, universities and colleges must be prepared for risks to the campus's buildings, landscapes, and infrastructure that could disrupt operations. This session explores the intertwined concepts of risk management and resilience planning.
SEE ALL RELATED RESOURCES

Conferences, Courses, and Workshops of Interest

Workshop

Navigating the Future: AI-Enhanced Scenario Planning for Higher Education

 October 14, 2025 - October 16, 2025
Online | 1:00–4:00 PM Eastern
Workshop

Making Meaning of Trends: Emerging Issues in Higher Education
Working Group

 October 30, 2025 - November 13, 2025
Online | 12:00–1:00 PM Eastern
Community Conversation

Community Conversation: In This Together: An Open Discussion

 November 20, 2025
Online | 2:00 - 3:00 PM Eastern
SEE ALL RELATED CONFERENCES AND PROGRAMS
RELATED PLANNING TYPES
Continuity PlanningStudent Affairs PlanningCampus PlanningAcademic PlanningInformation Technology PlanningDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion PlanningResource PlanningInstitutional Effectiveness PlanningSustainability PlanningStrategic PlanningStrategic Enrollment Management Planning
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Contact:
Sadie Wutka
Director, Content Development
sadie.wutka@scup.org
734.669.3293