University of California (Stanford) administrators have used lessons learned from the restructuring and downsizing of the Union Pacific railroad in their strategic planning. Action teams to make recommendations on particular university problem areas were developed. University restructuring and downsizing activities of the past year have…

Institutions are turning to responsibility-centered budgeting to instill campuswide fiscal responsibility. The approach places budget authority within individual academic units and allows decision makers to see their program's share of overhead expenses. The University of Indiana and Purdue University at Indianapolis have undertaken a joint…

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…

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)

This book explores the history and evolution of six innovative colleges, examining how these institutions have adapted and transformed themselves in today's social, political, and economic environments. The book contends that these institutions, which emerged in the 1960s and 1970s, can serve as models today. Case study chapters describe the…

A major change is underway at the University of Michigan as a new telecommunications network is being installed to become the central focus for information technology on the campus as voice communication, mainframe, minicomputer, and microcomputer installations all become part of the network. (MLW)

The concept of program life-cycle management is applied to college fund raising. Program life-cycle stages (introduction, take-off, maturation, saturation, decline) and fund-raising steps (identification of objectives, targeting of markets, estimate potential for contribution, organization, strategy development, fund-raising performance…

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign School of Chemical Sciences undertook a comprehensive review of management practices in three phases: (1) internal business office procedural review; (2) user opinion survey; and (3) external assessment by campus business and personnel administration. The substantial year-long effort was justified by…

Unionization of graduate students at the State University of New York since 1967 is chronicled, from graduate student employees' inclusion in faculty collective bargaining to establishment of a separate bargaining unit. Problems facing graduate student employee unions and likely future concerns are discussed briefly. (MSE)

A description is provided of the development of a university assessment and planning system for all levels of the university. The system is applied in a case study of a regional university. The designed system takes into account the constraints of the state budgeting system, the planning procedures of the state-wide university system, and the…

A monthly TV program called "Arizona Alumni Forum" is described, which was part of the University of Arizona Alumni Association's total communication strategy. Getting started, figuring the budget, getting on the air, being the perfect host, and taping the program is discussed. (MLW)

The three basic strategic objectives any metropolitan university must address in order to build a solid base of alumni support are the characteristics of the current student population, demographics and mindset of the alumni base, and relationships with the surrounding community. Activities at Boise State University (Idaho) in each of these areas…

A case study was done of the possible role of strategic planning processes for smoothing the transition period experienced by colleges and universities when changes in top leadership occur. The study was conducted in a medium-sized midwestern state university that had begun, 3 years earlier, a strategic planning process which had been…

A discussion of the controversial proposed National Institutes of Health/Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration guidelines for policies on conflict of interest are assessed in relation to the University of California's experience with research policies and peer review practice in regulating potential conflict-of-interest situations.…

Constructing a longitudinal student outcomes data file takes careful planning and attention to detail, but investment in such a resource yields substantial dividends in the ability to document and explain complex patterns of student success. (Author)