The planning process at Christopher Newport College in Virginia is described. The college has utilized an integrated planning system that incorporates qualitative and quantitative elements into a process that can adapt to the institution's unique social and political situation. (Author/SF)

Five criteria for judging college or university performance indicators (PIs) used to guide strategic decision making are outlined. The criteria address: purpose; alignment of PIs throughout the organization or system; alignment of PIs across inputs, processes, and outcomes; capacity to accommodate a variety of evaluation methods; and utility in…

This paper describes first year implementation efforts of Southwest Texas (SWT) State University to develop a system to integrate planning, budgeting, assessment, and quality to improve the delivery of education and other services to all the institution's customers. The document addresses the common situation when an organization already has…

Principles that institutional researchers should follow are discussed. The most important dictate is to present decision-makers the bare minimum of information necessary for the task; the material should be simple, short, and succinct. A report to assist decision-makers should not include extensive supporting documentation. The first step is to…

As more colleges and universities coordinate institutional research as a support system for long-range planning, new analytical tools become necessary. A system developed in Massachusetts to project the effect of statewide policy alternatives may have wide applicability to other institutions and to multi-institutional planning groups. (Author)

Given the limited resources available for planning, at times the choice must be made whether to concentrate analytical studies on internal functioning or on the external environment. Describes how the planning focus of the University of Massachusetts (Boston) responded to external conditions. (Author/MLF)

A decision-focused paradigm is presented to guide the development of a comprehensive institutional plan. The primary emphasis is the identification of strategic decisions to be resolved by individual institutions and the key determinants of those decisions. Based on the paradigm, a more active role for institutional research is suggested in order…

The abbreviated proceedings of the 18th Annual Forum of the Association for Institutional Research on balancing needs and resources are presented. Three of the five major addresses are presented in their entirety; the other two are summarized. The invited general session addresses included: "Talent for the 1980's" (Russell Edgerton); "If You Don't…

Documents listed in the bibliography are grouped in categories of--(1) goals and long range planning, (2) administration and faculty, (3) curriculum and instruction, (4) space utilization and scheduling, (5) student characteristics, (6) recruitments and admissions, (7) prediction and academic performances, (8) perception of college environment,…

Issues involved in measuring the achievement of institutional goals are outlined. Institutional survival, if not well-being, is shown to depend on symmetry between intent and delivery. The latter depends at least partially upon demonstrated progress toward the achievement of goals and community expectations. (Author/LBH)

Increasing demands for accurate forecasts in such areas as student enrollment, energy expenditures, and facility capacity are placing new demands on the institutional researcher. A variety of forecasting models and methods are available, all to be used with caution in long-range forecasting. (Author/MSE)

Comparison is inherent to system and state coordination activities and is valuable for overall review and for identifying differential needs. A variety of factors affect interinstitutional comparisons, and close cooperation between boards and institutions can increase the effectiveness of the process. (MSE)

The contemporary context and some recent trends affecting college program reviews or evaluations, current options in purposes and practices, and impacts on programs and institutions are discussed. It is recommended that the process be viewed as a contribution to the general knowledge base for campus constituencies rather than as "right answers"…

Relates decision making to institutional research. Describes the development of the institutional research function in community colleges. Recommends professional development for institutional researchers. Reviews the literature on administrative use of institutional research and defines management. Discusses the role of research in planning,…

The roles of incentives in academic decision making are examined, potential uses of incentives in academic decision making are suggested, and research projects that promise to increase the understanding of desirable uses of incentives in academic planning are proposed. (Author/MLW)