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.

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Blog Post

Published
December 11, 2023

Addressing Employee Needs in Higher Education:

A Path to Transformation and Excellence

By: Loren Rullman, PhD, Workshop Architects | Pam Watts, CAE, NIRSA | Kelsey Harmon Finn, Compass Group

In recent years, higher education staff throughout North America have increasingly expressed concern about compensation, work/life balance, and sense of agency over work. 24% of all staff are actively seeking roles outside of higher education, and 70% of staff at large or public universities would consider changing jobs. A recent survey form over 400 college and university staff provides actionable steps for a brighter future.

Tags: Health and Wellness, Human Resources, Original Research

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

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

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

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

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Why Do Most Institutional Presidents Look Roughly the Same?

Plan for Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Diversity in a Presidential Search

By: Dana Ainsworth, MA, and Jeffery L. Wilson, PhD

An institution’s governing board should determine how diversity initiatives will be prioritized during the search process.

From Volume 51 Number 4 | July–September 2023

Abstract: The presidential search process is an opportunity for the institution to plan for and vet potential leaders who will play a pivotal role in the success or failure of diversity initiatives. A key question to ask during searches is whether the growing student diversity on campus is present within the presidential search itself. We advocate for institutional governing boards to commit to creating lasting, cultural change and including DEI efforts in the presidential hiring process.

Planning Types: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Planning
Tags: Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Governance, Presidential Leadership, The Presidency

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

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

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Blog Post

Published
September 5, 2023

What If the Building We Work in Could Make Us Healthier?

By: Lisa Jasinski, PhD, University of Texas at San Antonio

During the recent 2023 Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) 2023 Annual Conference in Cleveland, Niraj Dangoria, Stanford University’s associate dean of facilities planning, and management, and Paul Woolford and Julia Cooper of HOK, reported how they used integrated planning to construct the Center for Academic Medicine for the Stanford University School of Medicine.

Institutions Mentioned: Stanford University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Academic Facility, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Medical / Allied Health Facility

Member Price:
Free

Non-Member Price:
Free

Optimizing for Growth

Long-Term Planning Is Essential During an Institutional Merger, Acquisition, and/or Geographic Expansion

By: Clayton Mitchell, MS, PE, CEM, and Chuck Rudalavage, BArch, AIA, LEED AP

Thomas Jefferson University focused on culture, communications, and collaboration during a transformational period of combining institutions.

From Volume 51 Number 3 | April–June 2023

Abstract: Accurately planning long-term strategy can be a shaky task for quickly-growing organizations, especially those that desire to maintain a strong impression on their stakeholders and surrounding communities. History shows that mergers and acquisitions can negatively impact an organization’s culture, communication initiatives, and internal and external experiences. Thomas Jefferson University, a longstanding private medical research university in Philadelphia, educating scholars since 1824, in recent years merged with Philadelphia University and further expanded its footprint through the aligned Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The authors of this article describe how to collaboratively optimize growth during a transformational period.

Institutions Mentioned: Thomas Jefferson University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Change Management, Engaging Stakeholders, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Medical / Allied Health Facility, Organizational Change, Placemaking, Planning Processes, Renovation

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Destination 2030

The Need for Transformation Architects

By: Edward Inch, PhD, Minnesota State University – Mankato | Lynn Akey, PhD, Minnesota State University – Mankato | Linda Baer, PhD, Strategic Initiatives and Minnesota State University – Mankato

Institutions Mentioned: Minnesota State University-Mankato
Planning Types: Academic Planning, Strategic Planning, Resource Planning
Tags: Adaptable Plans, Alignment, Assessment / Analytics, Data, Disruptive Change, Enrollment Management, Environmental Scanning, Higher Ed Trends, Organizational Change, Planning Processes, Presidential Leadership, Student Demographics, Student Success

Member Price:
Free | Login

Non-Member Price:
$35

Example Plans

Published
May 23, 2023

Bridge Plan

Public Master’s College or University (Michigan, United States)

In the face of executive leadership changes, this university was able to develop this interim strategic plan, or “bridge plan,” with broad campus engagement in less than half a year.

Planning Types: Strategic Planning
Resource Types: Bridge Plan
Tags: Alignment, Bridge Planning, Institutional Effectiveness, Institutional Planning, Presidential Leadership

Member Price:
Free | Login

Member-only Resource

Join now to have access

Planning Types

Challenges