North Central Symposium | Smart Questions, Smarter Projects: Adaptive Strategies for Campus Success

In a world where university capital projects routinely exceed budgets, miss deadlines, and fail to meet evolving institutional needs, new approaches to planning and project delivery are needed. This comprehensive program equips university planners, architects, and administrators with both the philosophical framework and practical tools needed to transform capital project delivery, creating a new culture of strategic thinking and successful execution in higher education capital planning. Drawing from real-world case studies spanning design charrettes gone wrong, financing decisions that haunted institutions for decades, and construction projects that either transformed campuses or became cautionary tales, you will leave with insights lessons learned that can help you embrace discomfort, question assumptions, and cultivate the intellectual courage that leads to breakthrough solutions.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe how the skill of asking good questions can improve capital project planning and implementation.
2. Explain how applying systemic questioning to every aspect of a project—from initial programming through closeout—can help your institution avoid errors and find breakthrough solutions.
3. Describe how public-private partnerships (P3) can transform not just individual projects but the entire culture of university capital planning.
4. Discuss differences in the scale and delivery models for P3 based on project type, including new buildings, existing buildings, maintenance, and operations.

Submitted for:
AIA LU 1.75 Units (SCUPC25M1)
AICP CM 1.75 Units

Sponsorship Opportunities

Gain visibility and be part of this event! Learn about event sponsorship.
Contact KenDra McIntosh for more information or complete the sponsorship order form.
kendra.mcintosh@scup.org | 734.669.3283

Symposium Reception Sponsors

North Central Regional Sponsors

Partner

Platinum

Gold

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Program

Registration

If you attend or work at an institution, email registration@scup.org to receive a complimentary registration.

Deadlines

**Cancellations must be made in writing and may be submitted by email to your registration team registration@scup.org by 10/13/2025. Refunds are subject to a processing fee – 10% of the total purchase. No-shows are not eligible for a refund, and funds committed by purchase order must be paid in full by the first day of the event. Refunds will be issued within 30 days of received written notification.