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
Planning Types: Campus Planning
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: Entrepreneuring the Future of Higher Education

Radical Transformation in Times of Profound Change

By: Lynn Priddy, PhD

From Volume 49 Number 3 | April–June 2021

Abstract: Entrepreneuring the Future of Higher Education: Radical Transformation in Times of Profound Change
by Mary Landon Darden
Rowman & Littlefield: Lanham, MD: 2021
202 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4758-5494-7

Planning Types: Strategic Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Funding, Innovation, Organizational Change, Recovery Planning, Resiliency

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Planning for Higher Education Journal

Published
July 1, 2019

Another Day Older, Another Day Better

Institutions Are Infusing New Life Into Mid-Century Campus Buildings

By: Matthew Broderick

While they might be historical gems, are mid-century campus buildings still structurally sound? Is their location and architecture meaningful to the institution? What about energy efficient and fiscally responsible? College and university leaders must make the call: to fix or not to fix.

From Volume 47 Number 4 | July–September 2019

Abstract: Replace, restore, or renovate? In this article, architects, engineers, and campus administrators offer insights on updating mid-century buildings. Averaging a half-century old, these once-innovative structures are showing signs of age. The author gives guidance on transforming them into buildings that make positive contributions to the 21st-century campus. Topics covered include how to assess a building’s potential for renovation, options for energy-efficient HVAC systems, choosing materials that enhance the building’s performance and reduce operating costs, updating 50-year-old floor plans to support today’s pedagogy, and funding models and sources for projects.

Institutions Mentioned: Binghamton University, SUNY at Binghamton, Princeton University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Western Michigan University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Deferred Maintenance, Renovation

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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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Innovation in the University of the West Indies

Practical Road Map for Enhancing Both Organizational and Research-Based Innovation

By: Indrani Bachan-Persad, Tiffany Best

Developing an innovation ecosystem and infrastructure to support both institutional and research-driven innovations can lead to wealth creation at the university, country, and regional levels.

From Volume 45 Number 2 | January–March 2017

Abstract: This article explores how the University of the West Indies can become economically sustainable and relevant by using its human capital to generate wealth and develop strong linkages between academia, the private sector, and governments. It makes a clear distinction between institutional and research-driven innovations, listing examples and best practices found throughout the university. Further, it presents a practical road map for enhancing both organizational- and research-based innovations within the university while aligning its vision of becoming an innovative institution with government policies and the private sector agenda. It also proposes key performance indicators to benchmark innovations at the university that can be emulated by other tertiary level institutions regionally and internationally.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, System of Colleges or Universities

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Symbiosis

Community Colleges Strengthen Mission by Engaging Their Host Communities through Innovative Partnerships

By: Bryan Irwin,Tyler Patrick

Partnership opportunities are broad and plentiful—only limited by an institution’s imagination.

From Volume 45 Number 1 | October–December 2016

Abstract: Strategic partnerships are a smart fiscal and educational move for higher education institutions. Many of the nation’s community colleges have long explored symbiotic arrangements that benefit student, community, and school. This article examines three schools’ interactions with their host communities and explores how partnerships help deliver on their role as a true community amenity—from providing their students with state-of-the-art learning environments and working with industry leaders to enhance curricula to reaching a geographically disadvantaged demographic of potential students. Partnership opportunities are broad and plentiful and are often only limited by an institution’s imagination.

Planning Types: Resource Planning, Campus Planning
Tags: Capital Planning, External Collaboration / Partnerships, Facilities Funding

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Designing Innovative Campuses for Tomorrow’s Students

By: Josh R. Vel,Ken N. Higa

Campus design and architecture will be the prime catalysts for transforming universities into our society’s engines of growth.

From Volume 44 Number 4 | July–September 2016

Abstract: “Designing Innovative Campuses For Tomorrow’s Students” explores increasing investment by higher education institutions in new programs and facilities that boost on-campus innovation and entrepreneurship. This trend is a response, in part, to the changing expectations and demands of Millennial and Generation Z students and their future employers. The impact of this movement, though, goes far beyond those constituencies—changing everything from campus housing to the economic development role of higher education institutions. The examples of Clemson University’s Watt Family Innovation Center and the University of Florida’s Infinity Hall are provided to illustrate the scope of influence and success of these changes.

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Entrepreneurship, Facilities Design, Facilities Funding, Facilities Planning, Innovation Center, Learning Environments, Maker Space, Mixed-Use, Public-Private Partnerships (P3)

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An Assessment of Capital Budgeting Practices for Public Higher Education

By: Derrick Manns

This study finds a need for new capital projects to include continuing, dedicated revenue streams for the project lifetime in order to avoid continuation of the current state of underfunded maintenance, especially in light of growing needs for upgraded research equipment and space.

From Volume 32 Number 2 | December–February 2003

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.

Institutions Mentioned: Illinois State University
Planning Types: Campus Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Budget / Finance, Capital Funding, Capital Planning, Deferred Maintenance, Facilities Funding

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