Stanford University (California) restructured its legal services office, for both cost containment and service improvement, by outsourcing legal work. The new system consists of a smaller in-house legal staff, for largely preventive work (academic and medical affairs, policy formation), and contracts with three outside law firms to work in…

The use of environmental scanning to link the external environment to institutional strategic planning is exemplified in Michigan State University's approach. The university's program is described, and in an appended section, 25 external tendencies are presented and related issues, trends, and events outlined. (MSE)

Examines the subtle and not-so-subtle factors underlying private/public partnership formation in university settings and proposes a framework of "institutional readiness" for engaging in such efforts. The experience of the California State University in its innovative technology infrastructure initiative is discussed as an example. (MSE)

Colleges and universities should approach strategic change by establishing three kinds of key performance indicators (KPIs): mandated (state-mandates or other imposed objectives); management (determined by the administration); and derived (from the special intentions of institutional units). By assembling the three kinds of KPIs, the strategic…

Three models of distance education that reflect different institutional needs and resources are described: a traditional system (Manchester Community Technical College, Connecticut); a flexible system designed for the current transitional nature of educational technology (Appalachian State University, North Carolina); and a technologically…

The potential for reconciling state formula funding of higher education with institutional planning needs is discussed. It is proposed that states invent a financing mechanism that funds a fair share of the strategic aims of each public college and university, yet allows the state to invest in a few priorities. New Jersey's experiment with such an…

Responding to a budget deficit, St. John Fisher College (New York) used quality-management tools to address critical budget issues and initiate a strategic program. Because the process used consensus-building tools, committee members felt they had been given equal input into resource allocation decisions and the process provided a sense of shared…

The context of and the participatory strategic planning process at the University of Texas, El Paso, from 1993 to 1996 is described. The internal and external factors that influence the intensive interactive process are reviewed; the university's conceptual framework for strategic planning is described; and the role of the university's planning…

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte's innovative approach to campus planning was to designate an internal task force to provide the vision, values, planning assumptions, and operational rules guiding the master plan, only later to involve architect-planners for implementation. This keeps control of the plan within the campus community…

Considerations in the planning and construction of overseas college campuses are discussed, and the process followed by Webster University (Missouri) in developing four European campuses is described. Special issues arising in the conversion of one location from leased facilities to an institution-owned site, including zoning and construction…

Creation of a larger number of well-educated minority group members is a strategic priority for both business and higher education. Collaboration between business and academic leaders in academic innovation is needed. Queens College (New York) has done so successfully in an experimental program combining business administration and liberal arts…

Describes an innovative approach to college and university facility improvement--creation of learning environments that integrate the advantages of a "virtual" learning environment with traditional campus-based instruction. Offers examples from a number of colleges and universities in which telecommunications technology, multimedia…

The University of Maryland at College Park has taken an unusual step in turning over management of some student residences (two graduate student apartment complexes) to a private property management firm. The realty group found ways to convert necessary expenditures for property improvement into substantial revenue for the university. Suggestions…

It is argued that well-conceived college and university mission statements can be useful in setting objectives for planning and for public information dissemination and marketing. The experience of the University of Calgary (Alberta) illustrates a successful process of drafting and reaching agreement on such a document. (MSE)

Describes the process by which Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (New York), beginning in the 1980s, became a leader in computer applications in college instruction. Focus is on the leadership provided by the administration and the process of reengineering institutional operations in many instructional and administrative areas. Outlines three…