LibGuides: LHE-7600: Strategic Planning and Operations in Higher Education: Week 5 Resources

Week 5 Resources

A Guide for Optimizing Resource Allocation: Link Assessment, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting to Achieve Institutional Effectiveness
Salem, D., Itani, H., & El-Hajj, A. (2020). A guide for optimizing resource allocation: Link assessment, strategic planning, and budgeting to achieve institutional effectiveness. Planning for Higher Education, 48(2), 8-19.
This article outlines the different assessment and effectiveness processes used at institutions and how institutions can align their budgeting processes to these improvement processes. The article presents a detailed framework for integrating assessment, strategic planning, and budgeting.
An Analysis of Instructional Expenditures in the U.S. Public Higher Education: From 2004 Through 2015
Iwamasa, D. A., & Thrasher, M. (2019). An analysis of instructional expenditures in the U.S. public higher education: From 2004 through 2015. Planning for Higher Education, 47(3), 28-37.
This article is essential for understanding the big picture of higher education funding in the last two decades. Understanding this landscape will help provide context to the challenges institutions face regarding funding given the current climate.
Linking Resource Decisions to Planning
Saunders, L. (2014). Linking resource decisions to planning. New Directions for Community Colleges, 2014(168), 65-75. https://doi-org.proxy1.ncu.edu/10.1002/cc.20121
This article is a case study of how one community college linked its planning to budgeting processes, including developing plans for various aspects of the college, such as technology and facilities. The author describes some of the challenges affecting the process, including steps taken to improve the process over time.
No-brainer or Brain-twister? Linking Planning and Budgeting
Fairbaim, B. (2017). No-brainer or brain-twister? Linking planning and budgeting. Planning for Higher Education, 45(3), 31-40.
While simple in concept, linking planning to budgeting processes is often challenging in practice. The author outlines four different models institutions can use to merge these two processes to produce results. Of course, each model has its strengths and challenges to consider, as well.

Integrated Budgeting and Planning
Stack, P., & Leich, A. (2020) Integrated budgeting and planning? In L. Goldstein (Ed.), Linking resource allocation to planning and assessment (pp. 25-39). Society for College and University Planning.
SCUP-Collection-Linking-Resource-Allocation-to-Planning-and-Assessment
In addition to providing a recap of the strategic planning process, the authors discuss the different planning processes at colleges and universities and how they support and align with an overall strategic plan. They describe these different plans and their purpose and demonstrate how institutions should integrate them to meet the goals outlined in the institution's overall strategic plan.

Planning at Mesa Community College: Integrated and Informed for Our Improvement
Ashcraft, M., & Jacobsen, C. (2017). Planning at Mesa Community College: Integrated and informed for our improvement. Planning for Higher Education, 45(3), 130-133.
This short article is a case study of how one community college made three significant changes to improve its integrated planning, budgeting, and evidence-based decision-making processes.
The Hardest Part of Integrated Planning
Auer, M. R. (2016). The hardest part of integrated planning. Planning for Higher Education, 44(2), 3-8.
This short article articulates the unpleasant aspects of integrated planning and budgeting, i.e., making difficult decisions about cutting, reducing, or sunsetting programs and services. It’s far easier to make institutional decisions about what to add.