reset. reconnect. reignite. represent.
As higher education institutions look to reopen after a 2020 full of unexpected and unplanned for changes, 2021 offers a period of time to rejuvenate ourselves and our institutions.
We recognize planning as a continual process of doing, again and again, and that’s why this year’s conference theme is re, or ITERATION. We look forward to sharing the SCUP community’s experience and expertise as it relates to integrated planning in higher education with a focus on planning as a continual process of doing.
Share your expertise.
Increase your institution’s visibility, contribute to the advancement of your profession, share thought leadership, lessons learned, fresh perspectives, and innovative case studies regarding higher education integrated planning.
Be part of this exciting experience!
Unsure if you’ll be able to present in person this fall?
We understand that some of the challenges and impacts from this pandemic will persist, even after a “return to normal”. That’s why we are exploring options to ensure every presenter can participate and share their stories and insights, regardless of circumstances.
We encourage you to submit your proposal, even if you’re not sure you’ll be able to join us in person.
Submit your proposal.
Deadline is May 3, 2021, 11:59 PM Eastern
Call for Proposals
Unsure if you’ll be able to present in person this fall?
We understand that some of the challenges and impacts from this pandemic will persist, even after a “return to normal”. That’s why we are exploring options to ensure every presenter can participate and share their stories and insights, regardless of circumstances.
We encourage you to submit your proposal, even if you’re not sure you’ll be able to join us in person.
Be part of the program.
Increase your institution’s visibility, contribute to the advancement of your profession, share thought leadership, lessons learned, fresh perspectives, and innovative case studies regarding higher education integrated planning as a speaker.
Who Should Submit.
Integrated planning engages all sectors of higher education:
● academic affairs
● student affairs
● business and finance
● campus planning
● information technology
● communications
● development
It involves stakeholders from across the campus:
● faculty
● students
● staff
● alumn
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
By design, integrated planning is an inclusive practice that brings together perspectives and experiences from across an institution’s community to create solutions. This can only be accomplished when all voices are heard, recognized, and valued. As you put together your presentation team, consider these questions:
- Whose perspective is missing?
- Whose voice is not being heard?
We strongly encourage you to make sure your presentation team includes diverse voices, and that these voices are given equitable time to share their perspectives.
What Makes A Great Proposal?
Great proposals focus on one of two things:
- Solutions: help attendees solve a pressing problem.
- Foresight: explore innovative new ideas, analyze trends, and prepare attendees for the future.
All great proposals include the following:
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- Takeaways: give attendees next actions, tips, tricks, tools, processes, etc., that can be applied immediately.
- Engagement: engage attendees with the content and with each other in meaningful ways.
Topics and Theme
We accept proposals on any topic related to integrated planning in higher education as long as they also align with the conference theme of re, or ITERATION, where we recognize planning as a continual process of doing, again and again. Especially welcome are proposals that are interactive and address the following:
Key Challenges
How is your institution responding to the challenges of today while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow? What positive changes have you made to set your institution up for long-term success? How can higher education adapt in the face of rapid change?
- COVID-19 Response and Planning
- Accreditation Pressures
- Change Management
- Competing Priorities
- Dealing with Climate Change
- Engaging Stakeholders
- Funding Uncertainty
- Planning Alignment
- Student Success, Retention, and Graduation
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Integrated Planning Topics
Student Success
- Academic and curricular planning
- Integrated student success initiatives
- New pedagogies and designing learning spaces to support them
- Student wellness and health
Change Management
- Successful change stories
- Guiding people through change
- Mitigating higher ed politics
- Including diverse and underrepresented populations
Using Data
- Analyzing and communicating data
- Evidence-based design
- Using metrics
- Assessment
- Public-private partnership
Communication and Engagement
- How to effectively communicate: message, mode, and frequency
- Engaging faculty in the planning process
Implementation
- Process that work
- Revising the strategic plan
- Unit-level planning
- Managing institutional complexity
The New Funding Environment
Preparing for the Future
- Higher ed’s value proposition
- Resiliency
- Strategic enrollment management (SEM)
- Institutional evolution
Planning Process and How Tos
- Tools for plan implementation and measurement
- Integrating your planning processes
- Planning “on the fly”
Managing Your Resources
- Budget models
- Managing space (and its politics)
- Technology planning
- Deferred maintenance
Conference Session Formats
This year, the Southern Regional Conference is offering two conference session types for presenters: (1) concurrent sessions, and (2) SCUPx ‘rapid fire’ sessions.
Note: All formats are considered of equal value and are reviewed with the same criteria.
Concurrent Session
Traditional conference session format for an individual presenter or team of presenters to cover content. Captivating, experiential sessions will be given preference over traditional presentations. Concurrent sessions can be given via lecture, panel discussion, round table, or other styles that invite not only presentation of your content but also invite attendee discussion and/or participation. 60 minutes in length, including introduction, presentation, and Q&A. Please note that panel presentations are limited to four (4) speakers, including a moderator. Panels should include at least one presenter from a higher education institution. Speakers may submit more than one proposal for consideration.
Concurrent Session Quick Facts
- Concurrent Sessions will be offered on Monday and Tuesday (October 4-5, 2021).
- Only 60-minute sessions are available – 90-minute sessions will NOT be available.
SCUPx Rapid Fire Sessions
Carrying on from our successful 2018 conference, we have decided to include another set of Rapid Fire sessions! These are concurrent sessions that contain 3 distinct 15-minute presentations on related topics. The committee will choose these from the final pool of submitted concurrent proposals.
If you would like your concurrent proposal submission to also be considered for a Rapid Fire session, please enter your information in our Rapid Fire Interest Form* to register your interest. You may sign up only after you have submitted your full concurrent proposal and your entry must include that proposal’s title.
*Filling out this form will not disqualify you nor reduce your chances for having your proposal accepted for a full concurrent session.
Selected 15-minute talks will be grouped by the conference planning team. This 60-minute session format is designed to have three speakers, each talking/involving the audience in experiential activities for 15 minutes or less on their topic. These presentations often have a personal narrative woven in to tie everything together. The intent is to inspire “Ideas Worth Spreading,” energizing the audience to build on and keep on spreading ideas. Q&A will take place after all three talks.
SCUPx Session Quick Facts
- SCUPx Sessions will be offered on Monday (October 4, 2021).
- No more than 2 presenters will be allowed per 15-min Rapid Fire section.
- All SCUPx sessions will take place in a similar format, either on a stage or raised platform without a podium. You may use props as necessary to support your talk.
Concurrent Session Submissions
Submissions must be made using SCUP’s online submission tool.
Read other frequently asked questions.
Proposal Questions
The proposal form doesn’t ask for an abstract, title, etc. Rather, it asks you specific questions about the content you are going to present. This gives session reviewers a clear understanding of what you plan to cover during your session.
Click on this link for examples of active learning exercises that you could include in your proposal.
View questions included on the Call for Proposals Form
Other questions you will need to answer
- Session Presenter(s): Identify your session’s presenter(s)
Please Note: No more than four presenters may be included in your proposal.
- Presenter Biography (150-word limit)
- Room Set:
- What type of room set would you prefer to best enhance participant learning in your session? Please note that we try to provide preferred room set requests, but cannot guarantee them.
- Audio Visual Questions
- Will you show a video?
- Will you play a sound clip?
- Will you go online? If so, what will you do online?
Selection Process
Proposals are selected to ensure the conference offers a comprehensive, nonpromotional, objective, and diverse program. Attention will be given to diversity of institutions/organizations, presenters, and geographic location. Note: You may be invited to present in formats other than the one you selected or those noted in the proposal submission form.
Proposals will be reviewed by the Conference Program Committee and proposal reviewers using the following criteria:
- Relevance of topic: Is the topic of relevance, importance, value, and/or interest to higher education?
- Proposed topic coverage: Does the proposal adequately cover content related to the proposers’ learning objectives or key stated outcomes?
- Presenter knowledge: Do the presenters have sufficient knowledge, expertise, and authority to address this topic based on evidence provided in the proposal and/or prior experience with or knowledge of the presenter?
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion: Does the proposal reflect or address diversity, equity, and inclusion, including subject matter, individuals of all identities, and demographic characteristics?
- Engagement strategies: The proposal explains the methods used to actively engage participants and is informed by principles of universal design.
Requirements if you are Accepted
- Presenter Registration Requirement
Presenters are responsible for their conference registration fee.
- Use of Presentation Materials
Following the conference, session recordings and presentation materials (such as slideshows) from each accepted concurrent session may be posted on the SCUP website to view and download. By participating as a concurrent session presenter, you agree to allow SCUP to share your content in this way.
QUESTIONS? Email speaker.information@scup.org.
The call for proposals closed Monday, May 3, 2021, at 11:59 PM EST.
Submit Your Proposal
