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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 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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Tool

Published
May 13, 2025

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Campus Contingency Planner

This tool is a template for lightweight, rapid contingency planning. It guides you through a process that identifies the impacts of change, how decisions during contingency planning will be made, and the operational components of programs and offerings that will need to be adapted in response.
Abstract: Times of rapid change can interrupt operations and implementation efforts. Preventing this requires an ability to quickly adapt our programs and offerings to the changing landscape. Unfortunately, operational complexity and the disorienting nature of uncertainty become a hurdle to rapid response. Either we get overwhelmed trying to identify all that needs to change, or we respond haphazardly, missing crucial details.

Contingency planning can help. It is a method for preparing for potential changes that identifies how operations and action plans need to shift in response. It can also be used to respond to changes after they happen.

The Campus Contingency Planner is a template for lightweight, rapid contingency planning. It guides you through a process that identifies the impacts of change, how decisions during contingency planning will be made, and the operational components of programs and offerings that will need to be adapted in response.

Whether you manage student-facing programs (like academic programs or student affairs activities), or direct services that are internally supportive (like space management or IT), the Campus Contingency Planner can help you respond to change with flexibility, minimizing disruption and moving your institution forward.

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Blog Post

Published
August 9, 2024

Slight Differences and Lots of Similarities

Two Conference Presenters Both Advocate for Developing and Improving Planning Culture

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Building a New Medical School With Integrated Project Delivery

Effective means and methods for building projects result in campus environments that advance institutional missions and goals, ensure student success, and support campus communities working for change.
Abstract: Effective means and methods for building projects result in campus environments that advance institutional missions and goals, ensure student success, and support campus communities working for change. This session will demonstrate how administrators, planners, and designers joined forces to coordinate an integrated project delivery to build a new medical school that promotes success for a diverse student body. We'll highlight strategies for prioritizing during the decision-making process, including identifying physical space needs to support program initiatives, developing planning guidelines for those needs, and enacting a design-build process to meet those needs in the built environment.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Navigating Enrollment Challenges Amidst Demographic Shifts

This session will delve into the evolving landscape of university enrollment, focusing on the impacts of demographic changes.
Abstract: This session will delve into the evolving landscape of university enrollment, focusing on the impacts of demographic changes. We will explore key trends such as declining birth rates, increasing diversity, academic readiness and shifting socio-economic factors that influence student enrollment patterns. By examining current data, we aim to provide foundational understanding for universities to adapt to these changes, ensuring sustainable enrollment and fostering inclusive educational environments. Join us to engage in a dynamic discussion on addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by these demographic transformations.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Open-concept Faculty Neighborhoods for More Collaboration and Communication

Traditional, siloed faculty offices are no longer the best option for serving student and staff needs.
Abstract: Traditional, siloed faculty offices are no longer the best option for serving student and staff needs. Open-concept faculty neighborhoods benefit staff by creating a collaborative working environment, and they benefit students by providing space for them to speak openly with professors. This session will demonstrate how innovative faculty neighborhoods increase collaboration and dialogue, supporting the working and learning experience for faculty, students, and the whole institution. We'll demonstrate how you can get the most out of your campus working environments by implementing creative layouts that are designed to boost collaboration and connection while retaining space for personal reflection and rejuvenation.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

The Power of Partnership: Planning for Innovation

Colleges and universities are seeking to engage in equitable planning and design processes that uphold institutional values and reflect the needs of broad, diverse audiences to create spaces that inspire innovation.
Abstract: Colleges and universities are seeking to engage in equitable planning and design processes that uphold institutional values and reflect the needs of broad, diverse audiences to create spaces that inspire innovation. In this session, we'll share how to successfully construct and implement an integrated planning, programming, and design process for the delivery of innovation spaces that extend the mission of community-based campus programs and resources. By developing a planning and design process that partners with key stakeholders, institutions and designers can create interdisciplinary spaces that foster collaboration, innovation, and access for the benefit of students, faculty, and the community.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Change Management: Leveraging Accreditation in a Challenging Environment

Institutional representatives must consider a variety of perspectives when managing change in the current higher education environment.
Abstract: Institutional representatives must consider a variety of perspectives when managing change in the current higher education environment. This session will explore the many ways in which accreditation is an ideal perspective for supporting institutional change. We'll discuss how to leverage the holistic cycle of accreditation, along with a laser focus on regulatory, policy, and legal issues, in ways that positively influence the future direction of institutions, focus on student success, and drive institutional mission.

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