Learning Resources

Abstract: Early in the pandemic, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) took deliberate steps to communicate, engage, and collaborate with its campus and surrounding neighborhood. These actions included health and safety measures and programs, channels for addressing concerns, and efforts to meet basic campus and community needs. This session will focus on how the university encouraged adherence to health and safety guidelines by using a framework emphasizing culture, education, compliance, and support. Come learn how Pitt fostered a sense of community and belonging, created volunteer experiences, and motivated students to comply with health and safety rules during a public health crisis.

Abstract: When a class is cancelled because of weather, faculty unavailability, IT outage, power outage, or pandemic-related closure, it can result in a loss of instruction. This article details best practices for instructional continuity for many short-term disruptions. Different types of short-term disruptions are identified, as well as how they impact instruction based on course modality. Finally, the article suggests responses for the circumstances, provides a pathway to collaborate with faculty to create a best practices guide for instructional continuity, and shows how to develop a communication and implementation strategy for the plan to reset expectations about instructional disruptions.

Abstract: The tension between practical planning and blue-sky thinking has never been stronger than it is right now. Current times require both integrated planning and a fundamental reimagining of our institutions’ virtual, physical, and procedural environments to serve our stakeholders. William Lindner has led transformational initiatives at every level of government and education with this consistent message: “Tear the Page Out.” This session will demonstrate an approach to attacking big challenges by empowering audacious creativity inside tradition-bound institutions. Come join us to gain a new perspective on leadership that delivers new solutions to big opportunities.

Abstract: When a class is cancelled because of weather, faculty unavailability, IT outage, power outage, or pandemic-related closure, it can result in a complete loss of instruction. A best practices guide can mitigate this. This session will showcase best practices for instructional continuity for most short-term disruptions. We will cover different types of disruptions and modalities of instruction (on-campus and online). You will take back communication strategies, planning tips, and best practices to create a plan to deal with short-term disruptions at your institution.

Abstract: In response to COVID-19, Colorado State University beefed up its online systems, created specialized pandemic teams, and built a robust website with information for teachers, students, workers, and researchers. Learn from Provost and Executive Vice President Rick Miranda what they also discovered: upgrading their teams’ ability to communicate regularly was what kept things moving forward, allowing critical everyday elements to proceed without interruption.

Abstract: Strategic planning often involves the development of new or revised policies. Policy communication and operationalization can significantly impact morale and strategic plan buy-in and we must consider it in a well-planned and integrated manner in order to produce effective change. This presentation will focus on lessons learned in policy roll-out, and through sharing your own experiences, you will gain an increased understanding of challenges and opportunities in policy roll-out that can inform strategic planning decisions on your campus.

Abstract: Do you call it a “goal,” “objective,” or “priority”? The terms used to describe planning vary from campus to campus. That’s why it’s critical that your college or university creates a shared language around planning that everybody understands. The SCUP Integrated Planning Glossary gives you a place to start. Use our list of common planning terms and our definitions to begin conversations about your institution’s unique planning language. Updated October 2021.

Find this helpful? Creating a common language is one of the many vital points discussed in the SCUP Planning Institute workshop—designed to help you and your team move from goals to implementation together.

Abstract: We are all invited to take the stage in some form in our lives, whether that be in an interview for work, a speech at a wedding, or simply asking a question in a business meeting or classroom setting. We all have ideas, questions or explorations which we hold back from sharing because our brains are hardwired to prioritize acceptance by our peers and avoid rejection and ridicule. Sometimes, this keeps us safe—but more often than not—it keeps us from truly stepping into a life of opportunity.

The first major theme of the presentation is the psychology of fear. What makes so many of our hands shake, our body’s fidget and our minds forget our words once so perfectly rehearsed? It is an evolutionary response, developed eons ago, designed to protect us. Public speaking asks us to do the one thing we are hard-wired not to do – step outside of the tribe and ask to be invited back in. As relatively weak and slow planetary beings, we survived only in community. Public speaking is the most vulnerable and scary thing that we can do. We will explore the role of this response and how it “shows up” for us in our modern-day world and body and four scientifically-proven ways to shift out of fear and into action using both science and story to address the “hack”.

The second major presentation theme is the role of nonverbal communication. Research shows that over 93% of communication is nonverbal, demonstrating that our brains are wired to prioritize nonverbal over verbal communication. But as presenters, we focus on what we say – rather than how we say it. We engage in fun-partner work to learn how our brains are specifically attuned to body language – and the signals that we are unintentionally demonstrating while speaking from a place of fear or anxiety.

The presentation is concluded with a challenge: to invite each audience member to make one commitment to themselves to lean in towards one area of fear in their life, whether that’s practicing a strategy at home or stepping onto the stage to share their message with the world.