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 215 RESOURCES

REFINED BY:

  • Tags: Original ResearchxSCUP Research ProgramxLearning Environmentsx

Clear All
ABSTRACT:  | 
SORT BY:  | 
Report

Published
May 23, 2025

Featured Image

The Future of University Planning in 2040 (and Beyond)

I Used Foresight Analysis to Help SCUP Look Ahead, Adapt, and Innovate

This is a SCUP FellowResearch Project Final Report for the 2023–2024 program. This report explores how foresight analysis can be used to prepare and plan for uncertain futures in higher education.
Abstract: In this SCUP fellowship project, Lisa Jasinski applies strategic foresight methods to explore what university planning could look like in 2040—and how we can better prepare for it today.

Informed by environmental scanning, futures thinking, and stakeholder engagement with SCUP members and campus leaders, she developed four plausible scenarios grounded in current trends such as AI, climate change, political polarization, and declining public trust. These scenarios aren’t predictions; they are planning tools that help teams and organizations stress-test strategies, surface assumptions, and engage in meaningful future-focused conversations.

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
March 4, 2025

Collaborative Planning Deepens Town-Gown Relationships

Carlow University Develops a Best-Practice Framework with the City of Pittsburgh

Implementing a four-quadrant assessment of purposeful communication, participatory engagement, collaborative planning, and shared resources produced actionable, impactful, and relevant improvement recommendations for the urban university.

From Volume 53 Number 2 | January–March 2025

Abstract: The president of Carlow University identified the university’s town-gown relationships as needing assessment as the institution embarked on a significant campus revitalization that required close coordination with the City of Pittsburgh. We developed a four-quadrant framework of best practices based on an extensive literature review. To assess town-gown interactions against the framework, we interviewed city and higher education leaders, reviewed the City of Pittsburgh’s and university documents, and analyzed the university’s social media presence. Our process generated specific, actionable recommendations that resulted in the university reorganizing senior leadership position descriptions and responsibilities, revamping its social media strategy, and aligning organizational efforts to increase its visibility.

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
August 16, 2024

Featured Image

Bridging Research Silos

Improve Collaboration with a Planning Framework

The authors emphasize practical applications and the integration of diverse expertise as a transformative approach to educational facility design.

From Volume 52 Number 4 | July–September 2024

Abstract: This article explores the application of interdisciplinary translational design (ITD) as a method to overcome disciplinary silos, enhance collaboration and integration across various fields, and promote a culture of respect and cooperation. ITD facilitates the creation of adaptable, technology-rich environments supportive of future-oriented research. Emphasizing practical applications and the integration of diverse expertise, ITD is presented as a transformative approach to educational facility design, fostering more effective interdisciplinary interactions and optimized research outcomes.

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Engaging Faculty in Classroom Planning and Design

Flexible classroom space is at a premium, making it necessary to link design with utilization to facilitate projected academic program growth. Including faculty in classroom planning and design processes is a vital part of supporting pedagogical innovation in campus learning spaces.
Abstract: Flexible classroom space is at a premium, making it necessary to link design with utilization to facilitate projected academic program growth. Including faculty in classroom planning and design processes is a vital part of supporting pedagogical innovation in campus learning spaces. This session will highlight recent strategic planning efforts with faculty and staff at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) focused on Central Pool classrooms and support for teaching and learning. We'll share ideas about how to facilitate collaboration between faculty, staff, and experts in the industry to maintain and advance flexible classrooms that support pedagogy and program development.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

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.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Conference Presentations,Conference Recordings

Published
July 22, 2024

Using Occupant Evaluation Data to Inform Higher Education Design

Campus facility design is a complex process that involves many sources of opinion and influence. Educational environments must enhance evolving pedagogies, support learning, administrative, and social functions, and accommodate ever-changing institutional needs.
Abstract: Campus facility design is a complex process that involves many sources of opinion and influence. Educational environments must enhance evolving pedagogies, support learning, administrative, and social functions, and accommodate ever-changing institutional needs. The systematic use of standardized evaluation tools for assessment of higher education facilities provides comprehensive insight into occupant experience from diverse, unique perspectives for informed and integrated planning decisions. In this session, we'll share practical strategies for conducting occupant evaluations across all types of facilities, as well as occupant outcome findings and the resulting planning decisions.

Member Price:
$35  | Login

Non-Member Price:
$50

Report

Published
July 3, 2024

Featured Image

When City Parks Are Your Quad

Urban Campus Planning for Safety and Well-Being

This is a SCUP Fellow Research Project Final Report for the 2022–2023 program. This report explores how the urban campus can best support student development in a safe, yet open environment.
Abstract: How can the campus best support student development in a safe, yet open environment? On an urban campus, these concerns are intensified: There is much more localized activity for students to engage with in their city environment, and many more stakeholders influence how the institution can assert itself in that environment.

In this 2022-2023 SCUP Fellow research report, Joel Pettigrew reflects on how campus edge dynamics and student sense of security play out at several urban campuses. Pettigrew weaves together his operational understanding of campus life with a design understanding of how planners and architects approach the campus to explore how these “two languages” inform student security and well-being, and notes in conclusion that there are many research threads yet to follow.

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Webinar Recordings

Published
May 29, 2024

Featured Image

2023 SCUP Campus Facilities Inventory (CFI) Review

The 2023 SCUP Campus Facilities Inventory (CFI) survey was the third iteration of the survey providing new insights about the current state of campus facilities and how institutions across the country are thinking about the future of campus and facility planning.
Abstract: The 2023 SCUP Campus Facilities Inventory (CFI) survey was the third iteration of the survey providing new insights about the current state of campus facilities and how institutions across the country are thinking about the future of campus and facility planning. This webinar will be hosted by Buro Happold Advisory (formerly brightspot strategy) SCUP’s CFI partner, and will review key findings from the survey. The hosts will then engage a panel of survey participants in a discussion about the CFI and campus planning at their institution.

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Non-Member Price:
Free

Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
May 29, 2024

Featured Image

Stakeholder Engagement Paves the Journey from Learning to Employment

Future Nurses ‘See’ Their Success in a Revitalized Corporate Building

Planners for West Coast University connected with stakeholders to solicit input and gain consensus on decisions. The result is a technology-rich building and academic program that helps nursing students achieve their objectives

From Volume 52 Number 3 | April–June 2024

Abstract: Planners for West Coast University connected with stakeholders to solicit input and gain consensus on decisions. The result is a technology-rich building and academic program that helps nursing students achieve their objectives

Member Price:
Free  | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access