Strategic planning is critical to ensuring that institutions of higher education thoughtfully and systematically position themselves to accomplish their mission, vision, and strategic goals, particularly when these institutions face a myriad of risks that can negatively impact their continued financial viability and compromise their ability to…

The composition of the university campus is founded on the provision of formal education and the classrooms this has required. Traditionally, informal learning has been of secondary importance, and much less attention has been paid to the development of the campus to support this activity. This article traces the development of three key types of…

The University of Michigan is almost always in the midst of a building boom. Year in and year out, Michigan has one of the most active programs of building renovation and new construction of all American universities. This program is very carefully managed to ensure that substantial architectural design work is not undertaken until there is a…

Academic service-learning is based on the value of university-community partnerships. But what about campus partnerships? Who on campus best understands and most effectively administers academic service-learning programs? Locating service-learning programs solely in academic affairs or student affairs departments certainly simplifies the process.…

Presents a case study of a professional development relationship involving Western Carolina University and several community colleges in a rural area. Offers implications for practice, such as the importance of timing and the need for widespread support within the university. (EV)

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, whose goal is facilitating resource sharing and cooperation, is described. Barriers to cooperation including absence of leadership, lack of adequate financial incentives, and the tendency to encourage and reward isolated behavior are discussed. (MLW)

Many administrators are planning and implementing systematic marketing strategies designed to attract, matriculate, and graduate students. Most administrators prefer to shape a direction according to their institution's needs rather than to take a reactive position. A marketing action plan is provided. (MLW)

Describes the challenges and ultimate success of a partnership--the first of its kind--between San Jose State University and the city of San Jose to develop a joint library that was both innovative and economically sound. (EV)

Fact books are discussed as effective methods of information dissemination that facilitate institutional research and planning. Advice is given on how to compile a fact book, information selection, and presentation. Examples are taken from the fact book concept formulated at Georgia State University. (SF)

In the current highly competitive higher education market in North America, many colleges have identified the importance of upgrading their existing residential housing facilities as part of their strategy to attract and retain students. The case study discussed in this article describes the successful planning process used by Perkins+Will and…

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…

Describes some institutional programs that have been successful in increasing the academic persistence of Latino college students and outlines steps that will make an institution's programs serve as catalysts for positive change. Hiring and retaining faculty and staff of color is beneficial to all students and helps increase Latino persistence.…