Learning Resources

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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Example Plans

Published
February 2, 2022

Example Plan

Private Baccalaureate College (Wisconsin, United States)

This short-duration strategic framework describes goals and very specific action steps to guide the institution through the current, globally tumultuous era.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Enrollment Management, Goals, Racial Equity, Strategies and Tactics, Student Recruitment

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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 2

Turning Away from the Challenge Is the Riskiest Strategy of All

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 1 | October–December 2021

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. Drawing on the path-breaking analysis of Carleton College economist Nathan Grawe, it outlined how widespread but variable the change will be, and discussed some of the effects—on enrollment, revenue, facilities, staffing, and more—for which colleges and universities should be preparing. This Part 2 explores these implications: How can we shape a planning context that supports success in the coming 10 or 20 years? What attitudes and skillsets will remain useful, and what may need to change?

Planning Types: Strategic Enrollment Management Planning
Tags: Cost of Higher Ed, COVID-19, Demographics, Enrollment Management, Funding, Resiliency, Shrinking Pool of Potential Students, Student Demographics, Trends External to Higher Ed, US

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Book Review: Broke

The Racial Consequences of Underfunding Public Universities

By: Karen Merritt, PhD

From Volume 50 Number 1 | October–December 2021

Abstract: by Laura T. Hamilton and Kelly Nielsen
The University of Chicago Press
294 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0-226-60540-1 (cloth)
ISBN-13:978-0-226-74745-3 (paper)
ISBN-13: 978-0-226-74759 (e-book)

Institutions Mentioned: University of California-Merced, University of California-Riverside
Planning Types: Strategic Enrollment Management Planning, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Attracting and Retaining Underrepresented Students, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Enrollment Management, Funding, Governmental Policies and Regulations, Public Institution, Racial Equity, Underserved Students

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Teetering on the Demographic Cliff, Part 1

Prepare Now for the Challenging Times Ahead

By: Bryan C. Harvey, EdD

A long-term decline in birth rates raises fundamental planning questions for higher education as the pool of 18-year-olds contracts after 2025. How can planners and leaders use the time we have to prepare for some of the most wrenching changes in a generation?

From Volume 49 Number 4 | July–September 2021

Abstract: A long-term decline in birth rates raises fundamental planning questions for higher education as the pool of 18-year-olds contracts after 2025. This Planning for Higher Education series explores how planners and leaders can use the time we have to prepare for some of the most wrenching changes in a generation. This article, Part 1, surveys the planning horizon as we emerge from COVID-19 and describes the challenges ahead. Part 2 considers specific planning strategies institutions can adopt to meet the challenge. Part 3 tackles perhaps the most daunting challenge: how to mobilize institutions to actually do what needs to be done, however inconvenient (or worse) that may be.

Planning Types: Strategic Enrollment Management Planning
Tags: Cost of Higher Ed, COVID-19, Demographics, Enrollment Management, Funding, Resiliency, Shrinking Pool of Potential Students, Student Demographics, Trends External to Higher Ed, US

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 13, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Planning the Future of the Past at Lincoln University

By: Brenda Allen, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania | Greg Havens, Sasaki | Dominique Hawkins, Preservation Design Partnership, LLC

Join us to find out how your institution can incorporate its history within its vision, develop strategies for historic building stabilization and renewal, and integrate building strategies with broader campus planning goals.

Abstract: During a challenging time in higher education, Lincoln University offers important lessons for small liberal arts institutions and HBCUs seeking to renew their future vision while honoring and integrating their past. At Lincoln University, a renewed interest in institutional and campus history is inspiring a bold vision for a small liberal arts campus and its culturally-significant buildings. Join us to find out how your institution can incorporate its history within its vision, develop strategies for historic building stabilization and renewal, and integrate building strategies with broader campus planning goals.

Institutions Mentioned: Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Accessibility, Facilities Planning, Historic Preservation, Historically Black College or University (HBCU), SCUP 2021 Annual Conference

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Conference Recordings

Published
July 12, 2021

2021 Annual Conference | July 2021

Building a Path Forward

Overcoming Pandemic Impacts on HBCUs

By: Anthony Brown, United Negro College Fund Inc | Troy Glover, DLR Group | Logan Hampton, Lane College | Yogesh Saoji, DLR Group | Leroy Staggers, Morris College

United Negro College Fund and HBCU college leaders will examine enrollment, instruction, student success, historic preservation, and fundraising in a post-pandemic world and explore how we can transform these challenges into successes.

Abstract: HBCUs have a tradition of providing affordable, culturally accessible higher education to minority and first-generation students as they support disadvantaged communities. The evolution of planning, partnerships, and pedagogy at HBCUs provides lessons for any stressed institution. United Negro College Fund and HBCU college leaders will examine enrollment, instruction, student success, historic preservation, and fundraising in a post-pandemic world and explore how we can transform these challenges into successes. Join the panel for an engaging discussion about physical, academic, financial, and operational strategies for reshaping and strengthening HBCUs and apply lessons learned to address diversity, equity, and inclusion at your institution.

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Increasing Alumni Giving at HBCUs

Start by Broadening the Job Titles of Those Who Do the Asking

By: Stevie L. Lawrence II, PhD, and Antwon D. Woods, PhD

By reviewing historical perspectives and conducting current-day personal interviews, the authors researched ways to engage HBCU alumni in giving back to their alma maters.

From Volume 49 Number 3 | April–June 2021

Abstract: In higher education philanthropy, alumni giving is a tremendously vital aspect, especially for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Throughout the history of alumni giving, though, HBCUs have not enjoyed the same success in soliciting and cultivating donations as Primarily White Institutions (PWIs) have. We compiled literature and conducted snowball sampling of private HBCU alumni to understand the motivations for giving or not to their alma maters.

Planning Types: Resource Planning
Tags: Advancement Planning, Engaging Stakeholders, Historically Black College or University (HBCU), Original Research

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Example Plans

Published
April 6, 2021

Campus Heritage Preservation Plan

Private Baccalaureate College (North Carolina, United States)

This historically Black college developed its preservation plan for its historic core, in order to identify an overall preservation strategy and serve as the basis for all future conservation work.

Abstract: Bennett College, a historically Black private women's college founded in 1873, underwent two periods of growth in the 1920s and 1930s, resulting in a collection of handsome, Georgian Revival-style buildings sited around a rectangular quadrangle with double rows of oak and magnolia trees lining its east and west sides. Funding helped the college to develop a preservation plan for its 25-acre historic core, designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, in order to identify an overall preservation strategy and serve as the basis for all future conservation work.

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Resource Types: Campus Heritage Preservation Plan
Tags: Getty Campus Heritage Grant Recipient, Historic Preservation, Historically Black College or University (HBCU)

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Example Plans

Published
April 6, 2021

Campus Heritage Preservation Plan

Private Doctoral/Research University (Georgia, United States)

Despite the historic significance of the buildings on this campus, little was known about aspects of their original appearance or previous alterations. The institution used Getty Campus Preservation funding to conduct archival research to document its historic resources, examine overall building conditions, and develop treatment guidelines.

Abstract: Together with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges (both also awarded Campus Heritage grants), Clark Atlanta is part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), the largest consortium of historically Black institutions in the US. Clark Atlanta was formed in 1988 with the merger of Atlanta University, chartered in 1867, and Clark College, founded in 1877. Despite the historic significance of the buildings on the campus, little was known about aspects of their original appearance or previous alterations. Clark Atlanta conducted archival research to document its historic resources, examine overall building conditions, and develop treatment guidelines.

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Resource Types: Campus Heritage Preservation Plan
Tags: Getty Campus Heritage Grant Recipient, Historic Preservation, Historically Black College or University (HBCU)

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