Institutions should not assume that since they can't predict the future they should not consider it. Instead, they can use their imagination to anticipate any number of possible, probable, positive, and even preventable futures. Attendees of the joint conference, "Campus of the Future: A Meeting of the Minds," in Hawai'i this past July--hosted by…

An effective collegial and relatively noncompetitive approach to integrated planning developed at King's College is discussed. The development of a structured system of intensive oral communication; an organizational design integrating planning, budgeting, marketing, and evaluation, and a modified matrix management system are described. (MLW)

This article presents reasons for and against in-house master planning of major college campus facilities. Examples of the in-house planning process are from Mesa State College (Colorado). Guidelines offered for in-house planning include: plan for interruptions, plan for change, identify areas where additional help is needed, get consistent data…

Evaluating the president is tantamount to evaluating both the present conditions of the institution and also its direction. Such evaluation is not possible without comprehensive institutional planning, which can be accomplished by developing a comprehensive and quantitative profile of the institution. (LBH)

A contexual model is introduced to simplify planning, to provide an understanding of institutions as interpretive systems, to guide the implementation of better strategic planning, and to provide a research paradigm that may integrate research findings for a better understanding of how the strategic variables are related to one another.…

Robert G. Cope's report on strategic planning models and techniques among higher education institutions is reviewed and found to shed light on the concept and processes of strategic planning. (MSE)

A discussion of planning for college and university centennial celebrations, or other milestone anniversaries, looks at reasons for creating a major event; objectives of early planning sessions; considerations in event design; scope and budget; use of consultants; appointment of an archivist; individual event planning; and fitting events to the…

An approach is proposed whereby all institutions in a state higher education system may proceed to plan for the year 1990. The approach incorporates two major planning tools--Delphi and Multiple Scenario Analysis--and shows how a structured process can help an institution to generate alternative views of the future. (MLW)

Results of a study of college planning activities and processes are presented and discussed. The study investigated the trends in planning and institutional planning activities, based on a survey of the literature and of administrators, including site visits and interviews with key leaders in the field. (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…

Explores one innovative technique, Open Space, for involving faculty and staff in higher education planning through one- to three-day meetings with a planning theme but minimum structure and no preset agenda. Offers examples of the method's use in planning curriculum reform, information technology, campus planning, and classroom teaching at Keene…

Discussion of statewide planning for higher education in South Dakota begins with background information on South Dakota's political and educational environment, then reviews the roundtable process that led to specific changes over the last five years, including increased efficiencies, change from formula to base-plus budgeting, and enhanced…

Using a case study, this article describes a method by which higher education institutions construct and use multiple future scenarios and simulations to plan strategically: to create visions of their futures, chart broad directions (mission and goals), and select learning and delivery strategies so as to achieve those broad directions. The…

A bibliography intended to provide resources to those involved in planning on the small college campus is provided. Sources and types of information available include case studies, theoretical models, application and evaluation strategies, research reports, technical guides, and philosophical speculations. (MLW)