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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
March 13, 2026

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Can the ‘Iron Triangle’ Be Bent?

Institutions Attempt to Maintain Quality and Access While Freezing Tuition

By: Rich Michal, EdD

This article explores the implementation and sustainability of long-term (10+ years) tuition freezes at two large public flagship research universities: Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

From Volume 52 Number 2 | Jan–Mar 2026 2026

Abstract: Amid declining public trust, demographic challenges, and mounting concerns about affordability, many institutions are asking whether the long-held “iron triangle” of higher
education—where reducing cost inevitably diminishes quality and underrepresented student access—still holds true. This article draws on case studies of Purdue University and the University of Wisconsin–Madison, which sustained decade-long tuition freezes. Their experiences reveal lessons in leadership, culture, process reengineering, financial positioning, and trade-offs that suggest the iron triangle can, in some cases, be bent.

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Blog Post

Published
August 4, 2025

The Campus Planner in a Time of Turmoil

Your Role Is as Adviser, Not the Ultimate Decision-Maker

By: Frederick W. Mayer, Campus Planner Emeritus, University of Michigan

A founding member of SCUP shares some of his experiences and thoughts on how to deal with the challenges and turmoil facing higher education.

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Conference Presentations,Conference Recordings

Published
June 16, 2025

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Reimagining the Student Experience and Stewarding Campus Resources

By: Cory Clippinger, Architect, DLR Group | Matthew Damschroder, Vice President for Student life and Dean of Students, Juniata College | Kaveri G. Singh, Higher Education Leader, Architecture, DLR Group | Lisa Keegan, Vice President for Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success, Bucknell University

Institutions are seeking to improve student experience to support recruitment and retention on campus, but making big impactful moves can be daunting in the midst of overwhelming deferred maintenance needs.
Abstract: Institutions are seeking to improve student experience to support recruitment and retention on campus, but making big impactful moves can be daunting in the midst of overwhelming deferred maintenance needs. Solving for a renewed focus on student wellbeing and resource-strapped environments, we'll share two case studies of transforming the campus experience through strategic investment in capital-constrained environments. This session will outline a path for converting the threats of deferred maintenance numbers into an opportunity to enhance the student experience on campus by providing a tool kit to guide institutions through the planning process.

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Conference Presentations

Published
May 20, 2025

Reimagining the Student Experience and Stewarding Campus Resources

Abstract: Institutions are seeking to improve student experience to support recruitment and retention on campus, but making big impactful moves can be daunting in the midst of overwhelming deferred maintenance needs. Solving for a renewed focus on student wellbeing and resource-strapped environments, we'll share two case studies of transforming the campus experience through strategic investment in capital-constrained environments. This session will outline a path for converting the threats of deferred maintenance numbers into an opportunity to enhance the student experience on campus by providing a tool kit to guide institutions through the planning process.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
December 11, 2024

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Strategic Planning for the Uncertain Road Ahead

Collectively Set Your Institution’s GPS to the Future

By: Diana L. Young, PhD, and Holley Morris Roberts, EdD

A public liberal arts institution began an integrated, collaborative, and future-focused strategic planning process during COVID-19, enrollment declines, and financial shortfalls. Committed leadership, listening to stakeholder voices, and studying best practices from other universities paved their strong path forward.

From Volume 53 Number 1 | September–December 2024

Abstract: Georgia College & State University, a public liberal arts institution, began an integrated,
collaborative, and future-focused strategic planning process during a time of uncertainty (COVID-19, enrollment declines, financial shortfalls, etc.). This planning included shared leadership across campus to develop and implement the plan, data-informed decision-making by a diverse group of steering committee members representing all areas of campus, visits to strategically identified aspirant universities, and ongoing stakeholder engagement that included student input. These strategies leveraged the inherent qualities of a liberal arts institution while addressing the challenges and opportunities that exist in public higher education.

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Conference Presentations

Published
October 22, 2024

Full STEAM Ahead: Colocating Science, Engineering, and Liberal Arts

By: Jim Brummer, Vice President of Facilities, University of St Thomas-Minnesota | Melissa DelVecchio, Partner, Robert A.M. Stern Architects | Brian Lapham, Architect and Lab Planner, BWBR Architects, Inc.

Recruitment and retention are increasingly vital as student demographics evolve. New approaches to collaborative planning create keystone spaces on campus that can reinvigorate entire zones and benefit students, faculty, staff, and the bottom line.
Abstract: Recruitment and retention are increasingly vital as student demographics evolve. New approaches to collaborative planning create keystone spaces on campus that can reinvigorate entire zones and benefit students, faculty, staff, and the bottom line. The University of St. Thomas's Schoenecker STEAM Center uniquely combines science and engineering spaces with liberal arts programs and other collaboration space while also enhancing use patterns, gathering points, and campus circulation. We'll share tools and lessons learned to help you navigate the complexities of co-locating disparate functions while accounting for funding capacity and time-of-day use, resulting in efficient, effective spaces that support changing campus demographics.

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Conference Presentations

Published
July 22, 2024

Institutional Transformation in Turbulent Times

By: Glynis Fitzgerald, President | Joseph (Tim) Gilmour, Principal/President Emeritus | Rodney Ridley, Vice President of Research, Economic Development, and Innovation

Alvernia University can provide inspiration for planners who must undertake the difficult task of transforming their institution in turbulent times. In four years, Alvernia University has raised $25 million in external support, garnered a $400 thousand grant, and raised enrollment by more than six percent.
Abstract: Alvernia University can provide inspiration for planners who must undertake the difficult task of transforming their institution in turbulent times. In four years, Alvernia University has raised $25 million in external support, garnered a $400 thousand grant, and raised enrollment by more than six percent. This session will detail Alvernia University’s transformation strategy, which has radically changed how the university educates students and supports regional economic development. The Alvernia approach offers a proven model that institutions can adapt for their own transformation efforts, cutting plan development and implementation time.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 8, 2024

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Expediting a ‘Mini’-Master Plan

In Fewer Than Five Months, a University Transforms Its On-Campus Student Housing

By: Carson Dinger, MS, and Thomas Carlson-Reddig, MArch, AIA, LEED AP

Collaborative planning for a residential housing transformation at Texas Wesleyan University ensured that the institution and its partners were responsive to the needs and aspirations of its stakeholders.

From Volume 52 Number 3 | April–June 2024

Abstract: In a dynamic higher education landscape, attracting and retaining students becomes paramount amid projected enrollment declines. This article explores Texas Wesleyan University’s journey in assessing student life needs on campus, engaging key stakeholders, and implementing an expedited, cost-effective mini-master plan design process. The authors demonstrate how the university and design team gathered research and developed and presented program recommendations to enhance TWU’s overall student experience and meet evolving student needs.

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Conference Presentations

Published
March 5, 2024

Launching the Duquesne College of Osteopathic Medicine From the Ground Up

By: Rodney Dobish, Duquesne University | Neil Martin, The S/L/A/M Collaborative | Karen Parzych, The S/L/A/M Collaborative

Establishing a new college within a university requires coordination with the accrediting body, other university disciplines, the city, donors, and neighboring landowners. We’ll outline and discuss how we navigated the process, challenges, and opportunities related to Duquesne University’s new College of Osteopathic Medicine, including the collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh’s Forbes Avenue Improvement Initiative.
Abstract: Establishing a new college within a university requires coordination with the accrediting body, other university disciplines, the city, donors, and neighboring landowners. We’ll outline and discuss how we navigated the process, challenges, and opportunities related to Duquesne University’s new College of Osteopathic Medicine, including the collaboration with the City of Pittsburgh’s Forbes Avenue Improvement Initiative. Through practical, implementable approaches to growth-focused programming in a new urban facility, this session will offer lessons learned, priorities, and planning tools for flexibility and improvement.

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
September 26, 2023

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Analyzing Existing Campus Space for Hybrid Teaching and Learning

A Step-by-Step Process Helps Planners Reconceptualize Classrooms

By: Aiman Khamitova, EdD, Luis R. Rojas-Solórzano, PhD, and Ines Russinho Mouga, MSc

In the aftermath of COVID-19, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) rethought learning spaces, adapting them to the good practices that were used during the period of solely online teaching.

From Volume 51 Number 4 | July–September 2023

Abstract: This article describes the step-by-step process of campus space reconceptualization. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to rethink learning spaces and adapt them to some of the good practices used during the solely online teaching period. Through cross-functional collaboration and joint governance, a purposefully established task force audited all classrooms at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan). It came up with short-term and long-term recommendations. The audit results and recommendations outlined in this article might be useful to university administration and leadership interested in campus repurposing due to pandemic effects on teaching and new formats like hybrid learning that have influenced instruction.

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