Learning Resources

Abstract: This session will showcase best practices for successfully planning and funding higher education facilities to train future workforces, serve the community, leverage curriculum flexibility, and ensure student success, accessibility, and equity. Wake Technical Community College made a bold decision to reorganize its capital improvement plan to address inequality in an underserved population by creating a new future-forward campus. Come find out how you can apply lessons learned and strategies from Wake Tech's inclusive master planning process to successfully respond to opportunities and challenges of diverse enrollment on your campus.

Abstract: The external environment confronting colleges and universities continues to rapidly evolve, driven by lingering effects of the pandemic, changing demographics and student preferences, a complex governmental funding environment, and exposure to a broad array of macroeconomic conditions. Moody's will discuss the financial outlook for the higher education sector over the next two years and beyond. Within that context, they will review how they assess the financial health of individual institutions, which are better situated to thrive and which may struggle, and trends in capital funding strategies.

Abstract: It’s now more important than ever for higher education institutions to leverage resources and demonstrate their relevancy to the students and communities they serve. This requires creativity and grit. This session will demonstrate how to meet complex needs for economic mobility and the workforce through several diverse partnerships involving campus buildings, major public realm investments, and a $300 million public-supported levy. You’ll learn about various sources you can use to achieve successful project results—city capital and operational money, voters, private sector—as well as how you can nurture your campus and community partnerships for the long term.

Abstract: College and university credit ratings directly affect institutional budgeting and planning. Hence, they should be of special concern to those charged with institutional planning. This article underscores the critical role that the ratings issued by two major rating agencies play in institutional finances and planning. Because rating agencies take into account a broad range of criteria, credit ratings remain a robust indicator of creditworthiness and can serve as signaling devices regarding institutional market positioning. Therefore, decision makers should be aware of the importance of ratings as they seek to compete for students and resources in the short run and plan for the long term.

Abstract: The capital renewal and replacement of the nation’s public higher education facilities has been a growing problem for several decades. While the need for new and improved facilities has increased over the years, many campuses simply have too many aging infrastructures that are too costly to replace. This, at a time when we have less than favorable economic conditions, only adds to the situation. As the age, size, and complexity of buildings continue to grow, so too does the amount of maintenance funding required to keep buildings in good working order. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the 50 states’ efforts of funding public higher education capital needs. This study investigated areas relating to capital needs financing, planning, decision-making processes used in each state, available funding, and future directions in the various states. Of the 50 states, 41 states responded, representing 82 percent of the 50 states.

Abstract: The process of devising a financial strategy to enhance its academic distinction began at Rutgers, a large, public, research university, in 1980 with a not uncommon statement of the Rutgers Board of Governors that sounded like many other mission statements. It used the expected phrases: continue development as a national and international resource by improving quality of instruction, research, and service; increase emphasis on scholarship; expand graduate and research areas of excellence; enhance programs to serve society's needs for broadly educated, humane, competent professionals to serve New Jersey's needs in education, business and industry, public policy studies, government, and other areas. But the Rutgers board did not see the statement as a platitudinous expression to be said and forgotten, and called upon the University administration to implement the statement with all due speed. What follows is the story of its implementation and the results of that action.