Learning Resources

Abstract: Planning for certainty in higher education's unpredictable climate is impossible. The living framework, a geographic information system-based (GIS) tool, gives institutions agency to adjust scenarios and measure impacts against set metrics to facilitate decision making and guide capital plans. Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) applies this integrated planning process for long-term relevancy as campus priorities and external factors evolve, the impacts of hybrid work emerge, and unexpected ideas develop. You can use GT's innovative planning tools and strategies to meaningfully respond to dynamic stakeholder needs, manage institutional complexity, measure sustainability and growth outcomes, and build an effective governance model.

Abstract: Transforming older campuses into healthy, walkable green environments with high-impact programming requires investments in infrastructure, circulation, and buildings? All while addressing legacy assets? Is a major challenge for institutions today. The University of Maryland College Park's (UMD) campus plan sets a visionary yet achievable roadmap for key institutional goals, enabling the evolution of a suburban flagship campus into a vibrant, urban, multi-modal, and carbon-neutral innovation center. This session will offer practical strategies for planners to align diverse interests and stakeholders from across the campus community, clear decision-making hurdles, and balance long-range strategic goals with near-term needs.

Abstract: Feel the pulse of change in higher education beating a little faster? External trends that initially seem unrelated to education?political polarization, climate change resiliency, mass customization?can cause disruption and uncertainty within the structural and physical campus environment. This panel of researchers and futurists will illustrate how anticipation, agility, and thoughtful planning fosters flexibility, adaptation, and success for colleges and universities. Join our workshop to engage in dynamic brainstorms and discover how you can advocate for impactful responses to current trends, ensuring that your campus is prepared for tomorrow.

Abstract: You have a beautiful, shiny new strategic plan? Now comes the hard part of implementing it. An efficient implementation process provides direction, aligns actions, creates accountability, and accelerates goal achievement for a successful strategic plan. This session will explore lessons learned in developing an implementation process from scratch that integrates the work planners perform across multiple campuses. Join us to take an in-depth look at a successful model of strategic plan implementation and discover how you can apply a similar structure at your institution.

Abstract: With a growing population of neurodiverse students, Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services (RCAAS) acts as a national prototype for institutional change to increase engagement and success of autistic students through purpose-built environments and programs. Using the RCAAS as a case study, we'll present an interdisciplinary approach for addressing complex issues around autism through the organization's college support program, psychological services clinic, and intensive outpatient clinic. Come learn how to leverage the campus setting, transit, recreation, and jobs to integrate autistic students, provide clinical experience, and design for a vulnerable population, resulting in better environments and wellbeing for all.

Abstract: As higher education operates in an increasingly complex world, charting a path forward requires a clear vision. An inclusive, comprehensive strategic planning process for educational programs is both just and necessary for institutions to stay relevant. We'll present a three-phase expedited, practical, inclusive approach that Tufts University used to lead a strategic planning process and develop an educational vision. Join us for experiential, mixed methods to include all voices in the strategic planning process, build community across schools in a decentralized university, and participate in a simulated co-design session.

Abstract: As populations grow and housing supply falls behind, campuses across North America must consider housing solutions as an important element of recruiting and retaining academic talent. This is collectively known as academic workforce housing. In this session, we'll outline the five tools of academic workforce housing: assisting with the cost of housing, building housing, buying real estate, lending, and empowering employees to become educated about available options and programs. We will also review several examples of successful academic workforce housing programs, both large and small.

Abstract: Designing for the neurodivergent community necessitates a nuanced approach that recognizes their unique sensory experiences and perspectives. This research project delves into the intersection of the built environment, neurodiverse users, neuroarchitecture, and neuroscience to create spaces that enhance the neurodivergent experience and foster inclusivity on modern academic campuses. Come learn how environments that acknowledge neurodiversity and provide options to be alone together, to retreat, or to socialize are essential for ensuring inclusion and wellbeing for a diverse campus community.

Abstract: Water-related disasters pose a serious risk to an institution's mission, physical assets, and reputation. While the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) Galveston is largely resilient to its harsh weather conditions, some critical threats remain. Its challenging path to water resilience serves as roadmap for other institutions seeking to mitigate risk and increase safety. This session will discuss UTMB's in-place campus climate resilience, its remaining challenges, how its revised master plan sets the course to mitigate flood and water service risks. Join us to discover how this ambitious but practical journey is applicable to all institutions subject to water-related events.

Abstract: Academic office spaces have historically followed established norms. These patterns are changing to maximize and condense real estate, minimize operating costs, and adjust to remote and hybrid work. This session will examine fundamentals of faculty and administrative offices and review student adjacencies, hot-desking and co-sharing space trends, and the future of hybrid work environments. We'll spotlight three unique academic office solutions that cover both new construction and existing renovation construction types. Join us to benefit from lessons learned, identifying potential pitfalls and new opportunities.