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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
October 23, 2025

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A New Campus Planning Paradigm Emerges . . .

. . . Addressing Declining Enrollment, Evolving Academic Technology, Online Learning, and Facilities Maintenance Costs

By: Mohammed Abdelaal, PhD, and Robert L. Ryan, PhD, FASLA

By reviewing campus plans and interviewing senior planners and administrators, the authors examined how 11 public universities in the Northeast and Midwest are responding to growing financial, pedagogical, and facilities risks.

From Volume 54 Number 1 | October–December 2025

Abstract: After decades of significant investment in campus development, US universities are now confronted with enormous challenges, including declining enrollment, evolving academic technology, online learning, and rising facilities maintenance costs. The authors of this research examined how 11 public R1 universities in the Northeast and Midwest are addressing these challenges through a review of campus plans and interviews with senior planners and administrators. This study argues that a new campus planning paradigm is gradually emerging in response to these risks, which highlights innovative strategies for place-based institutions to rapidly reexamine their prevailing capital planning priorities with a focus on adaptability and right-sizing campus facilities.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
March 5, 2024

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The Stories in These Walls

Integrated Planning Throughout Capital Projects Can Fuel Donor Engagement and Enhance Stewardship

By: John Roberson, MBA, and Toby Marlatt, BA

Cross-functional teams at the University of Wyoming, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of North Dakota effectively used storytelling techniques to position donors within the narrative of the universities’ missions and strategic plans.

From Volume 52 Number 2 | January–March 2024

Abstract: Engaging donors at the planning stage of a capital project is a critical step in the campaign’s success. This article describes the use of storytelling techniques in donor outreach at three universities. We outline how cross-functional teams, involving campus planners and architects, university development and marketing and communications staff, and consultant firms, collaboratively planned and implemented donor engagement techniques. A story-oriented integrated project team enhanced philanthropy and stewardship by focusing on student and research outcomes, donor anecdotes, and sketches or conceptual renderings while positioning the donors themselves within the narrative of the university’s mission and strategic plan.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
November 15, 2023

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FLIPP: A Tool to Align Campus Stakeholders for Space Planning

By: Lisa Stephens, University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Senior Strategist for Academic Innovation for SUNY’s Office of the Provost | Aurora Velasco, Instructional Technology Services at San Diego State University

Join us as we discuss how the FLIPP: FLEXspace Integrated Planning Pathway may help serve your needs with academic facilities planning, while building cooperative trust among campus advisors.
Abstract: Shared governance is a long tradition that well serves the academy, even as opportunity cost casts a long shadow over constrained budgets supporting built infrastructure. Over the past decade, two freely available tools: the Learning Space Rating System (LSRS) and the Flexible Learning Environments eXchange (FLEXspace) have successfully combined into an integrated planning pathway to help align the complexities of faculty, designers and AV/IT professional perspectives when considering facilities investment. This planning pathway was built in collaboration with professionals over time from many campuses, including the University at Buffalo and San Diego State University where portions of the process were integrated into a holistic solution to assist with learning environment ideation and planning.

Join us as we discuss how the FLIPP: FLEXspace Integrated Planning Pathway may help serve your needs with academic facilities planning, while building cooperative trust among campus advisors.

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Conference Recordings

Published
October 26, 2021

2021 North Central Regional Conference | October 2021

Keynote | Beyond The Pandemic

A Comprehensive Approach to Campus Health and Wellbeing

By: Christopher Berry, Albion College | Emily Deeker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Megha Sinha, Principal, NBBJ | Kelly Wahlen, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Come learn from our panel of experts as they share their insights on creating healthier campus environments that support student wellbeing.
Abstract: Campus health and wellness programs have evolved over the years to promote physical health, nutrition, and mental health for students. The pandemic has made it more urgent for institutions to consider the multidimensional determinants of health and a holistic approach to wellness. How do we address elevated levels of stress on campus through design and programming? How do we design facilities and outdoor spaces for better health outcomes? What role does wellness play in fostering student success and belonging? Come learn from our panel of experts as they share their insights on creating healthier campus environments that support student wellbeing.

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 18, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Setting Building Energy Standards

Learning from City, State, and Utility Incentive Programs

By: Michael Grant, Stantec | Ruth Bennett, Tufts University | Kim Cullinane, Eversource (utility) | John Dalzell, Boston Planning & Development Agency | Jacob Knowles, BR+A Consulting Engineers

Individual cities, states, and utility incentive programs are going beyond carbon neutral standards to embrace energy consumption limits—this session will present these new strategies as models and options for campus building energy standards.
Abstract: It isn't enough that institutions require all-electric campus buildings that rely on renewable energy—they must also be low load and low energy consumption. Individual cities, states, and utility incentive programs are going beyond carbon neutral standards to embrace energy consumption limits. This session will present these new strategies as models and options for campus building energy standards that address a variety of university sustainability goals. Come learn how your institution can avoid re-inventing the wheel when defining truly impactful campus guidelines by using these methodologies to limit energy consumption and peak demand.

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Webinar Recordings

Published
August 6, 2020

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Developing Successful Campus Collaborations and Trust During COVID

By: Host: Debi McDonald, Co-Chair, BSA/SCUP College + University Roundtable | Moderator: Jack Maguire, Founder and Chair, Maguire Associates | Presenters: Gretchen Von Grossmann, Director of Capital Programs, Tufts University; Sarah Madden, Project and Change Manager, University Administration, Harvard University; Kelly McQueeney, Director Project Support Services, Harvard University Environmental Health and Safety

In this webinar, Gretchen Von Grossmann of Tufts University and Sarah Madden and Kelly McQueeney of Harvard University shared how they have brought their campus communities together to tackle COVID challenges and what protocols and perspectives are becoming “game changers” in the process.

This is part of the series “Less Talk, More Action: Tactical Topics to Return to Campus.”

Abstract: In the current COVID environment, each day brings our academic institutions more information and insight regarding what their physical campuses can handle and what their returning students and faculty are comfortable with.

Join us as we learn from representatives at Tufts University and Harvard University how they have brought their campus communities together to tackle COVID challenges and what aspects may become “game changers” in the process. We will learn current perspectives and protocols and how these institutions came to these conclusions. The presenters will share how they have prepared for a range of outcomes, offering some valuable examples of effective leadership in this time of crisis.

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Conference Presentations

Published
March 8, 2020

2020 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2020

Roadmap to a Capital Renewal Program

By: Taylan Ekici, Associate Director, Capital Renewal Planning, Tufts University | Margaret Moylan, Planner Project Manager, Tufts University

We will share how Tufts University manages its capital renewal program using a ranking strategy that considers building condition, utilization, modernization needs, and academic priority.
Abstract: Most universities don't have enough funds to address all capital renewal needs. Understanding the condition of physical infrastructure and benchmarking against the institutional mission optimizes limited funds allocated for deferred maintenance. We will share how Tufts University manages its capital renewal program using a ranking strategy that considers building condition, utilization, modernization needs, and academic priority. We will cover how to collect and process data to establish a 10-year capital renewal plan, considering initiatives like sustainability and carbon neutrality.

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 28, 2019

2019 North Central Regional Conference | October 2019

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Planning for E-Scooters and Micro-mobility Options

By: Emily C. Casper, Aaron Moore, Megha Sinha, Tom Yardley

You will learn about micro-mobility trends, strategies, and policies you can apply and adapt to your campus infrastructure and reap their benefits.
Abstract: Come dive into the world of e-scooters and other micro-mobility options, which are on the rise nationwide. We will discuss current micro-mobility trends, benefits, challenges, and ways that planners can integrate micro-mobility safely, aesthetically, and strategically into their campus environments. With foresight and planning, micro-mobility can fill gaps in traditional campus transportation modes while mitigating challenges such as rider injury, pedestrian safety, and unsightliness. You will learn about micro-mobility trends, strategies, and policies you can apply and adapt to your campus infrastructure and reap their benefits.

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 28, 2019

2019 North Central Regional Conference | October 2019

Changing Landscapes and Environments in Health Professions Education

By: Patrick Loftis, Juliann Sebastian, Rich M. Smith, Paula Verboomen

Come learn how the campus built environment is changing in response to the healthcare industry's evolving challenges and opportunities.
Abstract: Challenges and trends within the healthcare industry pose critical growth challenges and unique opportunities for higher education. Institutions with medical and health programs now need learning environments that can support evolving curricula, immersive pedagogy, and advanced technology. Come learn how the campus built environment is changing in response to the healthcare industry's evolving challenges and opportunities.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 14, 2019

2019 Annual Conference | July 2019

Leveraging Software to Improve Academic Programs and Faculty Hiring

By: Patrick McDonald,Molly Wilson

Abstract: Determining where to invest in terms of academic programming and staffing can oftentimes be difficult due to competing interests by academic programs as well as a lack of resources. This session will describe how one university sought to improve academic planning and resource allocation within their academic units, and the software solution they used to do it. We'll discuss the university's example and broader best practices for reviewing metrics in research, finances, benchmarking, and predictive modeling as well as staffing and resource allocation related to academic planning.

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