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Webinar Recordings

Published
May 5, 2026

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A 21st Century Learning Environment

Recycling a Victorian Hospital

Join to hear about the aims of the University Design Forum and how to redesign a historical building into a modern learning environment.
Abstract: This event is a collaboration between SCUP and the University Design Forum.

Please join to hear about the aims of the University Design Forum which are similar to SCUP but also how to redesign a historical building into a modern learning environment.

The Edinburgh Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh is a major investment for one of the world’s leading academic institutions. Having purchased the City’s Old Royal Infirmary, the University embarked on a nine-year project to bring the dilapidated, but much loved, Grade A Listed building back to life as a centre for interdisciplinary teaching and research. After a short introduction to the building, this session will explore the project vision, realisation and lessons learnt along the way.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
April 16, 2026

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From Institutional Advancement to Termination

Leading the Memphis College of Art Closure

The college’s closure demonstrates that integrated planning is not limited to growth and expansion. It also offers a practical framework for aligning people, resources, and obligations when an institution must contract and ultimately close.

From Volume 54 Number 3 | April–June 2026

Abstract: This article examines the leadership decisions and processes implemented by the Memphis College of Art (MCA), following the 2017 decision to close due to financial debt and declining enrollment. Rather than ceasing operations immediately, MCA leaders executed a three-year teach-out plan while liquidating assets, repaying debts, and laying off employees, all while ensuring a legally compliant dissolution. As many colleges face longevity pressures, this case offers a rare look at how closure can be managed transparently, strategically, and with commitment to student success through an integrated planning approach that aligns academic, financial, and facilities decisions during the institution’s final years.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Reimagining Science and Engineering Programs through the Living Masterplan

Abstract: Science and engineering programs continue to grow and attract funding. Strategic planning can maximize new and repurposed space for STEM programs to address aging infrastructure, changing research, evolving student needs, and an uncertain future. To build stakeholder consensus and develop an achievable plan, we'll define key metrics behind the best use of existing space and showcase how specific data-driven tools and analytics transform traditional planning into a living masterplan. By applying a living masterplan and embracing data-driven tools, you'll be able to reach stakeholder consensus sooner and develop more efficient plans that are both implementable and adaptable to future changes.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

How Princeton University’s Historic Tudor Revival Crossed the Road

Abstract: When Princeton University completed its campus plan, it identified the location of a historic Tudor Revival building as an area for growth. As a solution, Princeton developed a plan that would maintain the street's character by relocating the historic building. This process represents a challenge that most institutions face in urban or residential settings where the character of institutional buildings becomes a part of the broader community's identity. Through Princeton's story and process you'll discover how multiple parties came together for meticulous planning, logistics, and engineering that made the move possible and gave way to the next generation of development.

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Conference Presentations

Published
April 3, 2025

Leveraging New Campus Development for Community Empowerment

Abstract: Affordable and accessible higher education is key to upward mobility and community transformation, especially for many rural and remote suburban communities that have limited access to resources. In this session, we'll explore the potential synergies between existing community colleges and their satellite locations. How can institutions drive community-engaged development in places that really need it? Is it better to build on existing assets or to build new? Discover how a community charted its own path toward a new college campus by organizing, passing a bond, and ultimately developing a tech-enabled, high flex learning environment with community space.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Finding the Beauty in Right-sizing the KU Campus

The constraints that universities face in terms of capital, declining enrollment, and surplus capacity in campus facilities causes escalation of deferred maintenance costs.
Abstract: The constraints that universities face in terms of capital, declining enrollment, and surplus capacity in campus facilities causes escalation of deferred maintenance costs. The University of Kansas (KU) master plan focuses on the value and impact of right-sizing the campus through change management and the implementation of a data dashboard. This session will share a sustainable path to establish a culture of transparency in decision making, stakeholder engagement, and environmental stewardship. We'll outline a data-driven process and lessons learned for leveraging resources, enacting policies that enable change management, and meeting the challenges of implementing a bold cultural shift.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Campus Master Planning as a Catalyst for Broader Economic Development

In the face of unprecedented changes, Middlesex College is tackling pressing issues to stay relevant by conducting community outreach, developing partnerships to address workforce changes, supporting non-traditional students, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Abstract: In the face of unprecedented changes, Middlesex College is tackling pressing issues to stay relevant by conducting community outreach, developing partnerships to address workforce changes, supporting non-traditional students, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We'll share how Middlesex went beyond enrollment metrics and traditional master planning strategies with an innovative plan that involves the county and community in supporting a variety of campus and regional initiatives. Come learn how you can apply innovative approaches at your institution to transform long-term academic and master planning while leading cultural changes?internally and externally?and prepare your campus for a post-pandemic world.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 23, 2024

Integrated Campus Master Planning for Unprecedented Capital Improvements

Universities are complex organizations that must align many different types of plans to maximize success.
Abstract: Universities are complex organizations that must align many different types of plans to maximize success. Integrated planning is vital to the master planning process because it requires support of all university constituencies. This session will describe how integrated planning and the development and implementation process of the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) master plan enabled ETSU to receive external support of more than $400 million for new and renovated capital projects over the past decade. We'll share how to plan across units, gain constituency support, take steps for project proposals that gain state support through competitive approval processes, and ensure the master plan is the foundation for university growth.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

HBCUs and the Fourth Wave: Opportunities and Lessons Learned

In a time of racial segregation and limited opportunity, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) became pillars of the African American community, fostering academic excellence and a sense of cultural identity.
Abstract: In a time of racial segregation and limited opportunity, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) became pillars of the African American community, fostering academic excellence and a sense of cultural identity. HBCU leaders will discuss their institutions' significant and dynamic journeys over the years, and how they have evolved through different historical contexts and social changes. Join us to hear critical stories of how HBCUs have leveraged physical, academic, financial, and operational strategies to enhance and strengthen their missions, from their early years, through the pandemic, and today.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

Academic Workforce Housing: Five Tools for Creating Successful Programs

As populations grow and housing supply falls behind, campuses across North America must consider housing solutions as an important element of recruiting and retaining academic talent.
Abstract: As populations grow and housing supply falls behind, campuses across North America must consider housing solutions as an important element of recruiting and retaining academic talent. This is collectively known as academic workforce housing. In this session, we'll outline the five tools of academic workforce housing: assisting with the cost of housing, building housing, buying real estate, lending, and empowering employees to become educated about available options and programs. We will also review several examples of successful academic workforce housing programs, both large and small.

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