Learning Resources

Financial Planning for Central Utility Plant Decarbonization

Divide and Conquer the Lift Across Different Funding Options

By: Andrew Honeyman, BSME, and Paul Graves, BSME

Vital stakeholder feedback and consensus from various university departments reveal the proper approach to building issues. Institutions such as the University of North Dakota used technical planning to produce well-informed financial modeling and right-sized financial plans.

From Volume 52 Number 2 | January–March 2024

Abstract: Implementing central utility plant (CUP) decarbonization projects requires strategic financial planning, collaboration, and consensus-building from the entire university community. This article describes gathering support from facilities management, executive staff, and lawmakers through technical and financial charrettes. Learn how technical planning produces well-informed financial modeling and right-sized financial plans, and how shared planning between design teams and facility planners creates tailored funding options, including IRA incentives, to fund decarbonization.

Institutions Mentioned: University of North Dakota, Kentucky State University
Tags: Alignment, Carbon Neutral, Energy Infrastructure, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Sustainability (Environmental)

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The Stories in These Walls

Integrated Planning Throughout Capital Projects Can Fuel Donor Engagement and Enhance Stewardship

By: John Roberson, MBA, and Toby Marlatt, BA

Cross-functional teams at the University of Wyoming, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and University of North Dakota effectively used storytelling techniques to position donors within the narrative of the universities’ missions and strategic plans.

From Volume 52 Number 2 | January–March 2024

Abstract: Engaging donors at the planning stage of a capital project is a critical step in the campaign’s success. This article describes the use of storytelling techniques in donor outreach at three universities. We outline how cross-functional teams, involving campus planners and architects, university development and marketing and communications staff, and consultant firms, collaboratively planned and implemented donor engagement techniques. A story-oriented integrated project team enhanced philanthropy and stewardship by focusing on student and research outcomes, donor anecdotes, and sketches or conceptual renderings while positioning the donors themselves within the narrative of the university’s mission and strategic plan.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Wyoming, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of North Dakota
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Academic Facility, Advancement Planning, Business School Facility, Capital Funding, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Design, Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning

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Getting in the eGame

Esports Streaming Gives the University of Kentucky a New Way to Grow Revenue and Recruit Students

By: Michael Stewart, BS, and Heath Price, MS

The University of Kentucky understood the importance of technology in preparing students for the digital world. With public-private partnerships, it sought opportunities to be an industry leader in leveraging that capacity for its students, faculty, staff, and the community.

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: The University of Kentucky (UK) and the University of Kentucky Esports Club worked together to establish the University of Kentucky Esports Lounge. Students were surveyed on their gaming needs, and the resulting wish list (i.e., equipment selection, space configuration, furniture, etc.) fed into the decision-making process by all constituents. The project budget was derived by a larger construction project at the University that focused on student recruitment, community, and connection to the non-student demographic. The UK team ultimately planned and launched the custom facility to meet users’ particular needs—while finding a way for the University to produce an additional revenue stream.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Kentucky
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning, Mixed-Use, New Program or Department, Planning Processes, Public-Private Partnerships (P3), Recreational Facility, Shared Facilities, Student Life / Student Affairs, Technology

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Book Review: Stories from the Educational Underground

The New Frontier for Learning and Work

By: Jeffery L. Wilson, PhD, Reginald L. Stroble, EdD, and Gerron Scott, M.Ed

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: Stories from the Educational Underground: The New Frontier for Learning and Work
by Peter Smith
Kendall Hunt Publishing: Dubuque, Iowa: 2021
148 pages
ISBN 978-1792472930

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Student Experience, Student Life / Student Affairs, Teaching and Learning, Underserved Students

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Book Review: Campus Crisis Management

A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners

By: Erica Eckert, PhD

From Volume 50 Number 1 | October–December 2021

Abstract: Edited by Eugene L. Zdziarski, Norbert W. Dunkel, and J. Michael Rollo
Routledge: Oxfordshire, England: 2021
388 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0367333720

Planning Types: Continuity Planning, Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Crisis and Disaster Management, Engaging Stakeholders, Higher Ed Trends, Planning Processes, Response Planning, Student Life / Student Affairs

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Space Jam

How to Accommodate Campus Events and Meetings This Fall

By: Chris Morett, PhD, MPP

Much of the conversation around the return to campus this fall has focused on academic courses. But other events and meetings will also need to be accommodated.

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: This article discusses an approach for campus meetings and events, such as study sessions, student group meetings, guest speaker presentations, etc., this coming academic year. It also aims to leverage the discussion about near-term needs to generate a more conceptual and flexible understanding of programming, space use, and virtual interaction within higher education.

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Planning, Informal Learning Environments, Landscape / Open Space, Space Management, Student Life / Student Affairs

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Designing and Building Your Capital Project

Choosing the Method That’s Right for You

By: Robert Mention

The first step in building your capital project is choosing the delivery method that best meets your institution’s needs and the project’s unique goals.

From Volume 46 Number 4 | July–September 2018

Abstract: Capital projects are designed and built in a number of ways. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and each prescribes different roles for the owner, architect, and builder. The question is, which way or method best fits your institution’s criteria and project? This article presents a brief outline of the most popular methods by which projects are designed and built.

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Capital Planning, Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning, Project Management / Delivery

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From Innovation to Impact

How Higher Education Can Evaluate Innovation’s Impact and More Precisely Scale Student Support

By: Mark David Milliron,David Kil,Laura Malcolm,Grace Gee

Rigorously evaluating the impact of innovative student success initiatives is key in meeting institutional goals for student outcomes, resource allocation, and return on investment.

From Volume 45 Number 4 | July–September 2017

Abstract: Institutions are managing numerous student success initiatives simultaneously, but they lack the necessary data and infrastructure to evaluate outcomes. They also struggle to clearly link a particular initiative to a specific individual outcome. Using prediction-based propensity score matching (PPSM), a methodology compliant with the U.S. Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse’s requirements, we facilitated the analysis of key initiatives to measure efficacy, ensuring that outcomes of students participating are compared to control students with similar propensity. The recent work explored in this article helps two institutions understand the impact of their innovation and more precisely scale student support.

Planning Types: Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Academic Planning
Tags: Administrative Program Review, Student Life / Student Affairs, Student Success, Student Support Services

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Innovation in Action

iPASS, Student Success, and Transformative Institutional Change

By: Laura M. Gambino

Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS) is an emerging, innovative practice with the potential to create transformative institutional change.

From Volume 45 Number 2 | January–March 2017

Abstract: This article introduces an emerging, innovative practice in higher education: Integrated Planning and Advising for Student Success (iPASS). A research-based iPASS implementation framework is examined through a case study of Guttman Community College (CUNY), which is one year into its iPASS work. This case study, which shares practices and initial findings that include high levels of student, faculty, and staff engagement, is relevant to practitioners and academic leaders considering the use of, or in the early stages of, an iPASS approach, as well as those interested in effectively integrating technology that leads to improved student success and transformative institutional change.

Planning Types: Student Affairs Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning
Tags: Student Life / Student Affairs, Student Success, Student Support Services

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The Why, What, When, Where, and How of Student Service Innovation

By: Elliot Felix,Coby Lerner

As the challenges students face become increasingly complex and interwoven, student service providers must innovate to meet student and institutional needs and differentiate themselves from competitors.

From Volume 45 Number 2 | January–March 2017

Abstract: As the challenges that students face become increasingly complex and interwoven, student service providers must innovate in order to continue to connect users to their offerings. Moreover, those services must be planned for holistically with an aligned understanding of why, what, where, when, and how they will be delivered. This article draws on brightspot strategy’s work with more than 50 leading universities as an experience design and strategy consultancy as well as best practices from the field to share some of the approaches, tools, and lessons learned in designing services to meet the needs of today’s students.

Planning Types: Student Affairs Planning
Tags: Student Life / Student Affairs, Student Services, Student Support Services

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