This publication presents an environmental scanning workshop for administrators in higher education institutions to help them incorporate environmental scanning into their planning and anticipation of future events. In particular, the workshop shows how to establish and sustain a comprehensive environmental scanning system and how to use the…

Designed to propose ways for the Colorado Department of Education to provide leadership in the implementation of a statewide educational telecommunications network, this study examines ways in which telecommunications can be used by the state department of education, school districts, libraries, and other informational or educational agencies to…

This environmental scan is intended to guide San Francisco City College in the coming years amidst a changing environment. The report is divided into five chapters: Demographic Trends, Enrollment Trends, Economic Trends, Educational Trends, and Policy Trends. Demographic Trends provides an overview of the current population of San Francisco (SF)…

College and university administrators are encouraged to preserve open space as an essential campus asset, using thoughtful planning and pursuit of a master plan that includes strategies to preserve open space in the face of powerful pressures for expansion and new facilities. Illustrations are offered from a number of campuses. (Author/MSE)

It is argued that while the concept of "vision" in higher education has been met with disdain, criticism is based on misconceptions of vision's nature and role--that vision requires a charismatic administrator and that visionaries are dreamers. Educators and planners are urged to use imaginative thinking to connect the institution's and staff's…

The multiple scenario analysis technique for organizational planning used by multinational corporations is adaptable for colleges and universities. Arizona State University launched a futures-based planning project using the Delphi technique and cross-impact analysis to produce three alternative scenarios (stable, turbulent, and chaotic) to expand…

Discusses approaches to relations with college/university alumni members of fraternities and sororities in the context of widely reported incidents of serious accidents, hazing, and alcohol abuse. Offers examples of ways to reach out to Greek alumni from Hamilton College (New York), Bowdoin College (Maine), Dartmouth College (New Hampshire),…

This issue of Capital Ideas reproduces, in an abridged form, the first chapter of a new book titled, "Financial Planning Under Economic Uncertainty", in the series, "New Directions for Higher Education." The chapter reviews the macroeconomic environment at the start of the 1990s, with particular focus on the problems facing…

This publication is the report of findings of the educational plant survey for Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University conducted in April, 1991. Following a description of the survey team and a preface, Section I describes the statutory foundations, procedural policies, and cooperative processes for the educational plant survey. Section II…

A school district's long-range facilities plan is a compilation of information, policies, and statistical data about the district. The plan enables the district to determine and select among the alternatives for allocating facility resources to achieve the district's objectives while meeting community needs. This guide contains information on the…

Designed for institutional leaders facing fundamental questions of changes in mission, goals, external relations, and internal priorities, this collection offers an introduction to strategic planning and descriptions of planning processes at several community colleges. Section I includes the following essays: "What Is Strategic…

A process by which institutions of higher education can plan for change with the times, come to terms with the dynamics of change, and initiate adaptation to a perceived future is presented. This guide is intended to be an outline for action that can be adapted to the diverse range of operations and governance current in American colleges and…

A guide to consulting in higher education designed for consultants and college personnel interested in engaging consultants is provided. It is based on principles distilled from actual consultation experiences in college settings. In 1980, the Association of American Colleges (AAC) began a consulting service for member organizations (Project…

Presents a model for predicting and shaping the impact of information technologies on libraries and the library role which is based on the effects of computerization in various business applications. The library network at AT&T Bell Laboratories is described as an example of a successful implementation of the model. (CLB)

PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) was applied to a federal project developing curriculum materials for the mentally retarded. A 34-step process lattice and PERT chart were useful for long-range planning, supervising the activity, providing accountability, and training new staff members. (Author/DB)