Socio-political forecasting, a new dimension to university planning that can provide universities time to prepare for the impact of social and political changes, is examined. The four elements in the process are scenarios of the future, the probability/diffusion matrix, the profile of significant value-system changes, and integration and…

The San Mateo County (California) Community College District has developed an effective cooperative working relationship among the three colleges and the central office. The effect of updating the district's educational program master plan on institutional autonomy, coordination, and general renewal is examined. (LBH)

A review of research on higher education institutions' impact on their regions' economic development shows that the impact is significant, but is inconsistently defined and measured. Much economic research effort is needed to clarify the nature and magnitude of colleges' material contributions to the regions they serve. (MSE)

The major benefit of an environmental scanning/forecasting system is in providing critical information for strategic planning. Such a system allows the institution to detect social, technological, economic, and political trends and potential events. The environmental scanning database developed by United Way of America is described. (MLW)

Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts and its architects devised a way to plan for growth and to coordinate development over 10 years of four buildings with a diversity of uses; time completion with planned population growth; save land, energy administrative time, and fund-raising efforts; and provide added educational benefits. (MLW)

The crisis in higher education has generated a movement toward statewide and regional cooperation among colleges and universities. An example is the Academic Affairs Conference of Midwestern Universities, a consortium of five institutions in Illinois and Indiana. Describes the AACMU development. (Author)

College planners turned to the use of systems building, fast-track planning, and construction management to produce a 1,000-student, first-phase campus in 20 months. (Author)

In the late 1960s, a new university (Athabasca) was created in the Edmonton, Alberta region with a mandate to provide undergraduate degree programs and to explore and institute new approaches in curriculum organization, program development, and services delivery. Relocation of the university is discussed. (MLW)

Planning is defined, and ways to plan and reasons for university planning are reviewed. A 10-step bottom-up planning process is outlined. It is suggested that planning aids communication between faculty and administrators, provides warning of problems, and improves allocation of resources. (MLW)

The creation of a state level planning office for the university system of Georgia is described. The stages addressed are: reorganization and adjustment; initial assessment and introspection; acquisition of staff and duties; researching the state-of-the-art of statewide planning; institutional involvments; and retrospection on progress to date.…

In colleges and universities, only an objective, comprehensive approach to financial planning and management can be expected to result in long-term financial equilibrium, strong investment performance, and success in achieving institutional objectives. A model integrating strategic financial management techniques and a five-step prudent investment…

After a period of rapid expansion, two-thirds of the branch campuses of United States universities in Japan have closed. A study suggests that the branch campuses were established largely to capitalize on short-term political, demographic, and financial factors, with little benefit. A deeper commitment to sustaining the overseas program and to…

Four university joint big decisions committees (JBDCs) were investigated to learn why they were established, their relationship with the traditional governance structure, functions within standard models of campus organization, and impact on institutional planning. The JBDC is seen as a growing governing force on campus, especially during periods…

Questions some fundamental assumptions of historical methods of space guidelines in college facility planning, and offers an alternative approach to space projections based on a new benchmarking method. The method, currently in use at several institutions, uses space per faculty member as the basis for prediction of need and space allocation. (MSE)

Discussion of digital technology in the context of higher education planning considers how these technologies change teaching; the digital divide; the costs of information technology; hard wiring the campus; material consequences of information technology; digitally enabled crimes and misdemeanors; and libraries and scholarly publishing. Concludes…