Learning Resources

Survival of the Financially Fittest

Leverage Strategic Decision-Making and Key Financial Metrics to Achieve Financial Stability

By: Aaron Meis, EdD, and Julee Gard, EdD

Leaders must look closely at financial trends that may reveal signs of trouble—in the short or immediate term—and have the courage to act to address them.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: This article explores a methodology for assessing and managing the financial viability of private, tuition-dependent institutions as well as institutional tactics and strategies used to improve their financial strength. The resulting model will help institutions understand the trends and predictive value of key financial metrics directly impacting their liquidity and operations and how senior leadership can drive change. Institutional examples illustrate how to engage senior leadership in strategic decision-making that includes assessment of revenue growth and/or expense management.

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Overcoming a $90M Budget Overage in Vanderbilt University’s Residential Colleges

A Multifaceted Team Worked Collaboratively to Stem Overruns

By: David Bailey, BA, AIA, LEED AP, and Walt Massey, BA

The University, architects, engineers, strategic planning consultants, and contractor teams worked hand in hand to peel back the onion to stem the overruns.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: When Vanderbilt University began seeing signs that cost escalation, scope additions, campus requirements, and authentic Collegiate Gothic architecture for their proposed new residence halls were all pressuring the budget, a multifaceted team worked collaboratively and arduously to stem the overruns.

Institutions Mentioned: Vanderbilt University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Academic Facility, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Implementation, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Mixed-Use, Modifying the Plan, Project Management, Project Management / Delivery, Student Housing

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What Is Your Crisis ‘What If’?

Create a Sustainable Approach to Emergency Response Planning

By: Jessica A. Luedtke, PhD, and Mary M. Reinke, MBA, MS

The Medical College of Wisconsin planned strategically, engaged executive leadership, and operationalized an Administrative Response Team to navigate critical incidents impacting the university.

From Volume 51 Number 3 | April–June 2023

Institutions Mentioned: Medical College of Wisconsin
Planning Types: Continuity Planning
Tags: Building (or Writing) the Plan, Communication, Crisis and Disaster Management, External Collaboration / Partnerships, Leadership, Medical / Allied Health Education, Modifying the Plan, Recovery Planning, Response Planning, Risk Management, Scenario Planning, Security

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Quickly Building a Bridge

Use an Institutional Effectiveness Planning Model to Drive Strategic Planning

By: Jason Nicholas, MS, Daniel Cullen, PhD, and Ellen Koski, MPH

Executive leadership changes at Northern Michigan University led the interim president, interim provost, and Board of Trustees to call for a bridge plan to clearly articulate strategic work happening throughout campus. This article describes how the university was able to develop an interim strategic plan with broad campus engagement in less than half a year.

From Volume 51 Number 3 | April–June 2023

Institutions Mentioned: Northern Michigan University
Planning Types: Strategic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Bridge Planning, Engaging Stakeholders, Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Planning, Institutional Research, Metrics, Planning Processes, Presidential Leadership, Response Planning, Selecting Metrics, Student Engagement

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Transforming Data into Meaningful Information

Put Methodologies in Action with Data-Driven Integrated Planning

By: Douglas Masterson, PhD, Christopher M. Davis, PhD, and Suzanne Carbonaro, MEd

Leaders in two different accreditation regions share best practices and lessons learned from their integrated planning evolution and its impact on operational efficiency and student learning.

From Volume 51 Number 2 | January–March 2023

Abstract: Institutional success depends on long-term sustainability, connecting investments with outcomes, and creating a culture that is data-informed. As the role of institutional effectiveness expands across higher education, designing a comprehensive integrated planning process is critical. Integrated planning requires a unified approach to utilizing academic and administrative data for continuous improvement. However, this can be an overwhelming process for institutions, with many unsure of where to start. Learn from leaders in two different accreditation regions as they share best practices and lessons learned associated with their integrated planning evolution and its impact on operational efficiency and student learning.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Southern Mississippi, University of Maryland-Global Campus
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Academic Program Review, Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Budget Planning, Dashboards, Data, Faculty Productivity, Metrics, Planning Processes, Planning Technology, Resource Allocation, Student Learning Outcomes, Student Success, SWOT Analysis

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The Future of Planning is . . .

. . . Aligned, Integrated, and Collaborative Institutional Effectiveness

By: Michael Ben-Avie, PhD; Kimberly K. Daugherty, PharmD; Lina Di Genova, PhD; Justin P. Hoshaw, MS; Erin M. Isaacson, MA; Nicholas R. Santilli, PhD; Megan Schramm-Possinger, PhD; and Robert Wilkinson, DEd

IE professionals are both translators and integrators—and universities need these people who know how to interpret the data. Within the context of an IIE office, they assist in developing data-informed strategic plans, financial forecasts, enrollment plans, and other assessments of institutional efficacy.

From Volume 50 Number 3 | April–June 2022

Abstract: The institutions that will thrive in the future will be those that use high-quality, relevant mission-driven data as part of their strategic, integrated planning process. Because of this it is imperative to create integrated institutional effectiveness (IIE) offices that serve as the connective tissue among all units within a college or university. The data and expertise of institutional effectiveness can be leveraged to benefit the institution as a whole. In this article, we discuss the value of creating an IIE office and challenges associated with a centralized infrastructure.

Institutions Mentioned: Quinnipiac University
Planning Types: Institutional Effectiveness Planning, Strategic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Engaging Stakeholders, Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Planning, Planning Processes

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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 3

Different Conditions Require a Different Kind of Planning

By: Bryan C. Harvey, EdD

Higher education has faced major changes for some time—COVID-19 accelerated that volatility—and now we’re anticipating the demographic downslope in student enrollment. How and when should institutions mobilize for the difficult work of planning in the face of wrenching change?

From Volume 50 Number 2 | January–March 2022

Abstract: Part 1 of this series described a major contraction in the pool of college-going 18-year-olds that will reverse decades of growth and stability for higher education. Part 2 explored how we can shape a planning context that supports success in the coming 10 or 20 years. Part 3 suggests how our approach to planning must shift to prepare for abrupt change.

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Prioritizing Campus Diversity Budgets

DEI Funding Has Mostly Survived the Post-Pandemic Cuts

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

Researchers learned that if diversity initiatives were a strategic priority for an institution, the 2020 financial crisis did little to reduce budget allocations.

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: In 2013, the article Planning for the Future: The Impact on the Public University Diversity Budget in Time of Recession reported the impact of the 2008 recession on college and university student affairs diversity unit budgets. Colleges are again faced with another economic downturn with looming budget cuts. The purpose of this article is to revisit the idea of whether primarily student affairs diversity units are hit harder than other institutional units in fiscal cuts and the potential effect that current events related to diversity programming initiatives have had on campus planning. The article explores the status of these budgets during fiscal uncertainty and the social awareness around campus-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion and its prioritization.

Planning Types: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Budget / Finance, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Higher Ed Trends, Original Research, Racial Equity, Resource Allocation, Trends External to Higher Ed

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A Guide for Optimizing Resource Allocation

Link Assessment, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting to Achieve Institutional Effectiveness

By: Dania Salem, Hiba Itani, Ali El-Hajj

By connecting assessment, strategic planning, and budgeting processes, the real needs and priorities of an institution are revealed. Colleges and universities can adapt the provided, step-by-step framework to their own institutional structure and methods.

From Volume 48 Number 2 | January–March 2020

Abstract: The article presents a framework for integrating assessment, strategic planning, and resource allocation at all levels of an institution. For that purpose, data are collected from academic departments and non-academic units. They are then integrated with strategic planning metrics into an assessment report that identifies the resources that need to be allocated, and to evaluate progress toward developing a strategic plan. The framework can be applied at the departmental or unit level, as well as at the institutional level. It provides valuable input for the budget process and can be used for updates in strategic planning.

Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Budget Planning, Resource Allocation

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An Approach to the Preparation or Revision of a Master Plan for a Nigerian Polytechnic

By: Ayodeji Oloyo

Whether preparing a plan for a proposed institution or revising a plan for an existing institution, following a carefully designed approach greatly facilitates the realization of the institution’s vision and mission.

From Volume 46 Number 2 | January–March 2018

Abstract: This article presents an approach for the preparation of a feasible master plan for a proposed polytechnic. It identifies and discusses key steps common to all methods used in the preparation of an institutional master plan. The object is to provide pertinent information to guide the preparation of a master plan that ensures a successful implementation and fulfillment of the institution’s objectives. It was concluded that the adoption and implementation of an appropriate master plan for a named polytechnic greatly facilitates the realization of the institution’s vision and mission.

Institutions Mentioned: Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Campus Master Planning, Modifying the Plan, New Campus

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