Learning Resources

The Value of Promising Failures and Partial Successes

Visible and Actionable Assessments Can Support a More Equitable Learning Environment

By: Karen Singer-Freeman, PhD

The Grand Challenges Project provides a comprehensive framework for institutions to overcome barriers, promote equity, and advance continuous improvement in higher education evaluation practices.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: The Grand Challenges in Higher Education Assessment Project (The Grand Challenges Project) is a national initiative designed to transform the landscape of assessment practices in ways that will increase equity by encouraging improvements in integrated planning. This article discusses the synergy between the three goals of the Grand Challenges Project: 1) Use Assessment Findings to Increase Equity; 2) Make Assessment Findings Visible and Actionable to Drive Innovation; and 3) Use Assessment Findings to Drive Rapid and Equitable Improvements in Pedagogy. Integrated planning is necessary to advance these goals, and progress toward each goal supports progress toward a more equitable and inclusive system of higher education.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Learning Outcomes, Teaching and Learning

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Blog Post

Published
January 12, 2024

The Grand Challenges in Assessment Project Supports Progress in Integrated Planning

It Links Planning, Resource Allocation, and Assessment in Higher Education

By: Karen Singer-Freeman, PhD, Grand Challenges in Assessment in Higher Education, and Wake Forest University

In recognition of the important role assessment plays in integrated planning, SCUP is an endorsing organization of the Grand Challenge in Assessment Project. In this blog post, we discuss the project and explore how it can help advance integrated planning in higher education.

Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Student Learning Outcomes, Teaching and Learning

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Example Plans

Published
January 5, 2024

Strategic Plan, Strategic Planning Website

Public Doctoral/Research University (Georgia, United States)

Strategic plan for the university, which is beginning its second decade after consolidation.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Resource Types: Strategic Plan, Strategic Planning Website
Tags: Enrollment Management, External Collaboration / Partnerships, Funding, Goals, Hybrid Learning, Laboratory Facility, Learning Environments, Medical / Allied Health Education, Online Learning, Recreational Facility, Resource Management, Student Retention, Student Services, Student Success, Student Support Services, Teaching and Learning

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AI and HI Working

Collaborative Intelligence Can Significantly Improve Student Success

By: Linda B. Baer, PhD, and Donald M. Norris, PhD

As the AI tools get smarter and as HI skills continue to enhance planning, higher education should continue to explore what leading campuses have already accomplished.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: For the past 20 years, higher education has invested heavily in improving student success, using new data and analytics systems, tools, and practices. Improvements and progress across higher education have mostly failed to meet expectations. But the arrival of next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) provides an exceptional opportunity. By combining AI with human intelligence (HI), we can create a powerful collaborative intelligence that can be embedded in learning processes, tools, and practices, enterprise-wide. AI can accelerate the long-overdue transformation of higher education. This article describes how to combine AI and HI in collaborative intelligence to significantly improve student success.

Institutions Mentioned: Georgia State University, University of South Florida-Main Campus, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Planning Types: Academic Planning
Tags: Assessment / Analytics, Data, Higher Ed Trends, Learning Technology, Student Retention, Student Success, Teaching and Learning, Trends External to Higher Ed

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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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FLIPP: A Tool to Align Campus Stakeholders for Space Planning

By: Lisa Stephens, University at Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Senior Strategist for Academic Innovation for SUNY’s Office of the Provost | Aurora Velasco, Instructional Technology Services at San Diego State University

Join us as we discuss how the FLIPP: FLEXspace Integrated Planning Pathway may help serve your needs with academic facilities planning, while building cooperative trust among campus advisors.

Abstract: Shared governance is a long tradition that well serves the academy, even as opportunity cost casts a long shadow over constrained budgets supporting built infrastructure. Over the past decade, two freely available tools: the Learning Space Rating System (LSRS) and the Flexible Learning Environments eXchange (FLEXspace) have successfully combined into an integrated planning pathway to help align the complexities of faculty, designers and AV/IT professional perspectives when considering facilities investment. This planning pathway was built in collaboration with professionals over time from many campuses, including the University at Buffalo and San Diego State University where portions of the process were integrated into a holistic solution to assist with learning environment ideation and planning.

Join us as we discuss how the FLIPP: FLEXspace Integrated Planning Pathway may help serve your needs with academic facilities planning, while building cooperative trust among campus advisors.

Institutions Mentioned: University at Buffalo, San Diego State University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Academic Facility, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Learning Environments

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Responsive Design

Purposeful Planning Can Be Inclusive for Neurodiverse Students and Support the Well-Being of All

By: Shannon Dowling, MArch, AIA, LEEDAP, and James A. Baumann, MA

By incorporating student choice and voice into the planning and allowing autonomy in scale and adaptability, campuses can provide the environment where all students are most comfortable participating in any given activity.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: Research has shown that neurodivergent students report a lower sense of belonging and are less likely to feel welcomed, accepted, and like they belong on campus than their neurotypical peers. Considering this, a host of barriers to participation and belonging can be in effect across a college or university. While there are a few campus offices and departments that might address different aspects of these concerns independently, the most successful results occur when these groups—along with outside contractors such as design partners—work in strategic symphony.

This article is co-presented by the Association of College & University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) and the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) and is being published in publications for both organizations.

Institutions Mentioned: Colorado School of Mines, Denison University, Lewis & Clark College, Montana State University, Ohio State University-Main Campus, The State University of New York at Albany, University of Georgia, University of Oregon
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Learning Environments, Placemaking, Student Housing

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Webinar Recordings

Published
October 25, 2023

Achieving Big Carbon Reduction Goals With Small Targeted Building Actions

By: Rebecca Berry, AIA, LEED AP, Finegold Alexander Architects | Lara Pfadt, AIA, LEED AP, CPHC, Finegold Alexander Architects | Michelle Maheu, Wellesley College | Jess Farber, PE, WELL AP, CMTA

This session will provide insight on useful data types for existing building stock and a process for existing conditions exploration to address carbon neutral goals and deferred maintenance within time and budget constraints.

Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Carbon Neutral, Deferred Maintenance, Facilities Planning, Sustainability (Environmental)

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Supporting Neurodiversity in Higher Education

When Every Space Counts

By: Kathleen Kelly, MBA, AIA, LEED A+P

By integrating several unique campus voices, we can realize that unassignable space is highly valuable to the neurodivergent campus occupant.

From Volume 51 Number 4 | July–September 2023

Abstract: While universities have long been bastions of intellectual diversity, they are now embracing a broader understanding of diversity that extends beyond race, gender, and socioeconomic background. Neurodiversity, a concept celebrating the natural variations in human neurological functioning, is gaining prominence as an essential aspect of fostering a truly inclusive educational environment.

Institutions Mentioned: University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, University of Southern Denmark, Syracuse University, University of California-Berkeley, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, University of Toronto-Downtown Toronto (St. George), Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Accessibility, Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Space Assessment

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Analyzing Existing Campus Space for Hybrid Teaching and Learning

A Step-by-Step Process Helps Planners Reconceptualize Classrooms

By: Aiman Khamitova, EdD, Luis R. Rojas-Solórzano, PhD, and Ines Russinho Mouga, MSc

In the aftermath of COVID-19, Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan) rethought learning spaces, adapting them to the good practices that were used during the period of solely online teaching.

From Volume 51 Number 4 | July–September 2023

Abstract: This article describes the step-by-step process of campus space reconceptualization. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to rethink learning spaces and adapt them to some of the good practices used during the solely online teaching period. Through cross-functional collaboration and joint governance, a purposefully established task force audited all classrooms at Nazarbayev University (Kazakhstan). It came up with short-term and long-term recommendations. The audit results and recommendations outlined in this article might be useful to university administration and leadership interested in campus repurposing due to pandemic effects on teaching and new formats like hybrid learning that have influenced instruction.

Institutions Mentioned: Nazarbayev University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: COVID-19, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Hybrid Learning, Learning Environments, Online Learning, Renovation, Space Assessment, Teaching and Learning

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