Learning Resources

Prioritizing Campus Diversity Budgets

DEI Funding Has Mostly Survived the Post-Pandemic Cuts

By: Jeffery L. Wilson, PhD, Gerron Scott, MEd, and Reginald L. Stroble, EdD

Researchers learned that if diversity initiatives were a strategic priority for an institution, the 2020 financial crisis did little to reduce budget allocations.

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: In 2013, the article Planning for the Future: The Impact on the Public University Diversity Budget in Time of Recession reported the impact of the 2008 recession on college and university student affairs diversity unit budgets. Colleges are again faced with another economic downturn with looming budget cuts. The purpose of this article is to revisit the idea of whether primarily student affairs diversity units are hit harder than other institutional units in fiscal cuts and the potential effect that current events related to diversity programming initiatives have had on campus planning. The article explores the status of these budgets during fiscal uncertainty and the social awareness around campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion and its prioritization.

Planning Types: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Budget / Finance, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Higher Ed Trends, Original Research, Racial Equity, Resource Allocation, Trends External to Higher Ed

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 13, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Higher Education’s Financial Trajectory

Are We at an Inflection Point?

By: Susan Fitzgerald, Moody’s Investors Service, Global Higher Education and Nonprofit Ratings | Michael Osborn, Moody’s Investors Service, Global Higher Education and Nonprofit Ratings | Debra Roane, Moody’s Investors Service, Global Higher Education and Nonprofit Ratings

Moody's will discuss the financial outlook for the higher education sector over the next two years and beyond.

Abstract: The external environment confronting colleges and universities continues to rapidly evolve, driven by lingering effects of the pandemic, changing demographics and student preferences, a complex governmental funding environment, and exposure to a broad array of macroeconomic conditions. Moody's will discuss the financial outlook for the higher education sector over the next two years and beyond. Within that context, they will review how they assess the financial health of individual institutions, which are better situated to thrive and which may struggle, and trends in capital funding strategies.

Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Capital Funding, Capital Planning, Higher Ed in Society, Higher Ed Trends, Implementation, SCUP 2021 Annual Conference, Trends External to Higher Ed

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 12, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Building a Path Forward

Overcoming Pandemic Impacts on HBCUs

By: Anthony Brown, United Negro College Fund Inc | Troy Glover, DLR Group | Logan Hampton, Lane College | Yogesh Saoji, DLR Group | Leroy Staggers, Morris College

United Negro College Fund and HBCU college leaders will examine enrollment, instruction, student success, historic preservation, and fundraising in a post-pandemic world and explore how we can transform these challenges into successes.

Abstract: HBCUs have a tradition of providing affordable, culturally accessible higher education to minority and first-generation students as they support disadvantaged communities. The evolution of planning, partnerships, and pedagogy at HBCUs provides lessons for any stressed institution. United Negro College Fund and HBCU college leaders will examine enrollment, instruction, student success, historic preservation, and fundraising in a post-pandemic world and explore how we can transform these challenges into successes. Join the panel for an engaging discussion about physical, academic, financial, and operational strategies for reshaping and strengthening HBCUs and apply lessons learned to address diversity, equity, and inclusion at your institution.

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 19, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Designing the Money

Resilient Long-term Planning for CSCU's Sixteen Campuses

By: Keith Epstein, Connecticut State Colleges & Universities | William MacIntosh, G3 Architecture | Scott Page, Scott Blackwell Page

In this session, we'll share how Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) applies a standard process to address its unique capital needs and withstand the test of time. CSCU maintains its 10-year capital plan in a dynamic environment to remain relevant and resilient for allocating resources equitably between its sixteen campuses with optimal effect.

Abstract: Establishing capital projects is typically a long-term effort with changes occurring over months. In this session, we'll share how Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) applies a standard process to address its unique capital needs and withstand the test of time. CSCU maintains its 10-year capital plan in a dynamic environment to remain relevant and resilient for allocating resources equitably between its sixteen campuses with optimal effect. Come learn how a mission-driven, evidence-based capital planning approach responds to changing demographics and financial conditions while addressing specific facility and infrastructure needs in a wide variety of campus settings.

Planning Types: Campus Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Capital Planning, Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning, SCUP 2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference, Space Assessment, System of Colleges or Universities

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Example Plans

Published
March 5, 2021

Strategic Plan

Private Master’s College or University (Alabama, United States)

The university’s strategic plan details five broad goals with supporting strategies and measures for success. Focus centers on student success and leveraging technology for the 21st-century learning experience.

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Symbiosis

Community Colleges Strengthen Mission by Engaging Their Host Communities through Innovative Partnerships

By: Bryan Irwin,Tyler Patrick

Partnership opportunities are broad and plentiful—only limited by an institution’s imagination.

From Volume 45 Number 1 | October–December 2016

Abstract: Strategic partnerships are a smart fiscal and educational move for higher education institutions. Many of the nation’s community colleges have long explored symbiotic arrangements that benefit student, community, and school. This article examines three schools’ interactions with their host communities and explores how partnerships help deliver on their role as a true community amenity—from providing their students with state-of-the-art learning environments and working with industry leaders to enhance curricula to reaching a geographically disadvantaged demographic of potential students. Partnership opportunities are broad and plentiful and are often only limited by an institution’s imagination.

Planning Types: Resource Planning, Campus Planning
Tags: Capital Planning, External Collaboration / Partnerships, Facilities Funding

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Employing College and University Credit Ratings as Indicators of Institutional Planning Effectiveness

By: Gabriel Ramon Serna

Credit ratings can be an integral component of the planning process, particularly as an implicit indicator of institutional planning effectiveness.

From Volume 41 Number 4 | July–September 2013

Abstract: College and university credit ratings directly affect institutional budgeting and planning. Hence, they should be of special concern to those charged with institutional planning. This article underscores the critical role that the ratings issued by two major rating agencies play in institutional finances and planning. Because rating agencies take into account a broad range of criteria, credit ratings remain a robust indicator of creditworthiness and can serve as signaling devices regarding institutional market positioning. Therefore, decision makers should be aware of the importance of ratings as they seek to compete for students and resources in the short run and plan for the long term.

Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Budget / Finance, Capital Funding

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An Assessment of Capital Budgeting Practices for Public Higher Education

By: Derrick Manns

This study finds a need for new capital projects to include continuing, dedicated revenue streams for the project lifetime in order to avoid continuation of the current state of underfunded maintenance, especially in light of growing needs for upgraded research equipment and space.

From Volume 32 Number 2 | December–February 2003

Abstract: The capital renewal and replacement of the nation’s public higher education facilities has been a growing problem for several decades. While the need for new and improved facilities has increased over the years, many campuses simply have too many aging infrastructures that are too costly to replace. This, at a time when we have less than favorable economic conditions, only adds to the situation. As the age, size, and complexity of buildings continue to grow, so too does the amount of maintenance funding required to keep buildings in good working order. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the 50 states’ efforts of funding public higher education capital needs. This study investigated areas relating to capital needs financing, planning, decision-making processes used in each state, available funding, and future directions in the various states. Of the 50 states, 41 states responded, representing 82 percent of the 50 states.

Institutions Mentioned: Illinois State University
Planning Types: Campus Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Budget / Finance, Capital Funding, Capital Planning, Deferred Maintenance, Facilities Funding

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Developing a Financial Strategy for Academic Distinction: A Case Study of the Rutgers Experience

By: Marvin W. Greenberg,Nancy S. Winterbauer

From Volume 14 Number 4 | 1986

Abstract: The process of devising a financial strategy to enhance its academic distinction began at Rutgers, a large, public, research university, in 1980 with a not uncommon statement of the Rutgers Board of Governors that sounded like many other mission statements. It used the expected phrases: continue development as a national and international resource by improving quality of instruction, research, and service; increase emphasis on scholarship; expand graduate and research areas of excellence; enhance programs to serve society's needs for broadly educated, humane, competent professionals to serve New Jersey's needs in education, business and industry, public policy studies, government, and other areas. But the Rutgers board did not see the statement as a platitudinous expression to be said and forgotten, and called upon the University administration to implement the statement with all due speed. What follows is the story of its implementation and the results of that action.

Institutions Mentioned: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers University-Newark, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Rutgers University-Camden
Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Capital Funding, Engaging Stakeholders, Funding, Governmental Policies and Regulations

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