SCUP
 

Learning Resources

Your Higher Education Planning Library

Combine search terms, filters, institution names, and tags to find the vital resources to help you and your team tackle today’s challenges and plan for the future. Get started below, or learn how the library works.

FOUND 38 RESOURCES

REFINED BY:

  • Tags: Learning CommonsxStudent Center / UnionxSCUP 2021 Southern Regional Conferencex

Clear All
ABSTRACT:  | 
SORT BY:  | 
Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 17, 2025

Featured Image

Co-Locate and Consolidate to Create Connected Campuses

Grow in Place Rather Than Add More Space Where Students Will Succeed

You can share spaces, support services, staffing, and technology systems within your institution and with external partners. This reduces costs while improving outcomes such as retention, graduation, and career placement rates.

From Volume 53 Number 3 | April–June 2025

Abstract: Colleges and universities have a traditional way to meet new needs. When there is a new research initiative, degree program, or student support function, institutions add space. Despite good intentions, their siloed structures, poor strategic planning, and history of continuous expansion mean that institutions adapt by adding. The result: Campuses are overbuilt and underutilized. Instead of shared spaces and seamless, supportive experiences, we’re left with sprawling campuses and spiraling costs. With enrollments, research funding, and our climate all changing, it’s time for a new model and a new mantra: Grow in place rather than add more space.

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Delivering a Renovated Learning Commons for an Engaged Academic Community

Abstract: Integrated planning is essential for delivering campus facilities that support institutional vision and create a strong student academic experience. Juniata College was at a crossroads related to vision and curriculum direction while it was launching a comprehensive campaign that prioritized a library renovation. This session will focus on one provost's vision for planning and designing a learning commons around a new curriculum and share post-occupancy data to define what worked. Come learn how the planning, funding, and design process behind this inclusive facility has dramatically increased library use by students, faculty, and outside groups.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
March 7, 2023

Featured Image

It Takes a (Virtual) Village

Harper College Accomplished Integrated Campus Planning During a Time of Profound Change

This large community college successfully embraced virtual communication platforms and moved forward with a viable 10-year plan during a global health crisis, economic turbulence, and technological change.

From Volume 51 Number 2 | January–March 2023

Abstract: Integrated planning during profound change requires extra flexibility and attention to user engagement while utilizing new modes of interaction. This article summarizes a successful virtual and comprehensive planning process, including consensus-building, and approval at Harper College. It reviews results and lessons learned by this large community college as it embraced virtual communication platforms and moved forward with a viable 10-year plan during a global health crisis, economic turbulence, and technological change. The authors share the remote process used to set goals, assess resources, define needs, explore options, and guide decision-making with numerous stakeholders.

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Partner Content

Published
October 1, 2022

Featured Image

Use Evidence to Plan Facilities That Drive Student Success

In this article, the author draws upon research from his book How to Get the Most Out of College to highlight the evidence that campus planners and designers can use to help drive student success.
Abstract: Colleges and universities are in the midst of a transition from an access mindset to a success mindset, and campus facilities can play a role in this shift. Institutions don’t have to guess at how—a large body of research can and should inform how we plan, design, and operate our campuses. In this article, the author draws upon research from his book How to Get the Most Out of College to highlight the evidence that campus planners and designers can use to help drive student success.

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
June 8, 2022

Featured Image

Seven Lessons in Inclusive Campus Design

Learn How the University of Kentucky Developed Its First DEI Facilities and Spaces Plan

Institutions are starting to grapple with histories of developing indigenous lands and the legacy of an able-bodied vernacular within campus design that continues to reinforce in-groups and out-groups.

From Volume 50 Number 3 | April–June 2022

Abstract: A global health crisis intersecting with a racial reckoning has led to a renewed commitment to reflect on complex histories and plan for more inclusive futures on many American campuses. Institutions, which benefitted from traditional hierarchies of power, are starting to grapple with histories of developing indigenous lands and the legacy of a western and able-bodied vernacular within campus design that continues to reinforce in-groups and out-groups. The authors are presently leading first-of-their-kind DEI planning initiatives; in this article they unpack how a public institution is meeting their past head-on to plan better futures.

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Conference Presentations

Published
October 5, 2021

Crossroads of Campus

Reactivating a Stagnant University Center

In this session, we'll share how we reactivated a stagnant and segmented university center in a long-neglected sector of campus into a new 'crossroads' destination that connects students, faculty, and staff.
Abstract: Healing an entire campus precinct requires vision, impeccable data, and team expertise. In this session, we'll share how we reactivated a stagnant and segmented university center in a long-neglected sector of campus into a new 'crossroads' destination that connects students, faculty, and staff. This modernized university center, which prioritizes wellbeing through its inclusive and accessible design, is the successful result of a phased approach and creative synthesizing of multiple stakeholder needs to deliver consensus. Come learn how to achieve your complex project goals and reactivate your campus as an inclusive, accessible, and connective resource for the entire campus community.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Conference Presentations

Published
October 5, 2021

Rethinking Academic Workspaces

Learn from three university panelists how to accurately assess needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement post-pandemic solutions for hybrid work environments on your campus.
Abstract: Physical and technological re-investments in space must produce a measurable return. Reimagining campus office and instruction space can better align capital planning with student, faculty, and staff success. As space management policies and planning shift their focus from how to where people work and learn, three university panelists will share how they're rethinking academic space to improve utilization, access, and performance. Come learn how to accurately assess needs, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement post-pandemic solutions for hybrid work environments on your campus.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Conference Recordings

Published
October 5, 2021

Rethinking Research and Real Estate at UT Austin

The J.J. Pickle Research Campus Plan marks an operational shift for the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, exploring mixed-use development and an integrated research environment to leverage a real estate asset and advance the university's mission.
Abstract: Research campuses are an increasingly important and integral part of innovative research development in higher education. By generating the right type of campus environment, institutions can foster successful partnerships with private entities. The J.J. Pickle Research Campus Plan marks an operational shift for the University of Texas (UT) at Austin, exploring mixed-use development and an integrated research environment to leverage a real estate asset and advance the university's mission. Come learn from multiple case studies, including UT Austin, and discuss the impact of environment, research focus, and governance structure on both the academic and financial success of a research campus.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Conference Recordings

Published
October 5, 2021

A Data-driven Approach to Campus Planning

In this session, we'll share our innovative approach to enhancing the design process through data-driven design, a highly-collaborative process that generates unlimited experimental designs through customizable algorithms.
Abstract: In this session, we'll share our innovative approach to enhancing the design process through data-driven design, a highly-collaborative process that generates unlimited experimental designs through customizable algorithms. Applying a data-driven approach to your project can help you optimize your time through real-time feedback and evaluation of options, helping you to strike a balance between conflicting criteria. Design, planning, and architecture professionals are just starting to realize the benefits of this kind of decision-making process; join us to find out how you can apply this current best-practice knowledge in the planning and design of your campus.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Conference Recordings

Published
October 5, 2021

Revitalizing LSU’s Huey P. Long Field House for Adaptive Reuse

This session will discuss how Louisiana State University (LSU) employed adaptive reuse and revitalization to transform a historic and culturally-significant 1932 field house into a collaborative learning center for kinesiology and sociology programs.
Abstract: As educational methods in higher education evolve, space requirements also change. Institutions must explore meaningful ways to renovate existing assets in order to support modern educational needs. This session will discuss how Louisiana State University (LSU) employed adaptive reuse and revitalization to transform a historic and culturally-significant 1932 field house into a collaborative learning center for kinesiology and sociology programs. Join us to learn about the trials and triumphs of the major design interventions and renovations to LSU's culturally-iconic building.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50