This book explores higher education leadership during times of extreme pressures and limited, changing information.
Organized around different functional units in higher education institutions, chapters describe the ways in which campus communities were affected by and responded to the early pandemic crisis. By unpacking observations of real leaders from American institutions of higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic, this book provides lessons learned and takeaway strategies for complex decision-making during a crisis. This edited collection explores the unique moment when leaders and teams must make, implement, and adjust plans rapidly to assure delivery of their missions, while still addressing the needs of students, parents, employees, and stakeholders.
Shining a bright light on decision-making in the early acute stage of a crisis, this book prepares higher education educators to be effective leaders and successful decision-makers.
Author(s): Gabriela Cornejo Weaver, Kara M. Rabbitt, Suzanne Wilson Summers, Rhonda Phillips, Kristi N. Hottenstein, Juanita M. Cole
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 264
City: New York
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview: ‘Embedded’ Across the Higher Education Landscape
Who We Are
The Context of Higher Education’s Covid-19 Response
Addressing Equity During a Crisis
Crisis Leadership as a Critical Competency
Framework and Organization of this Book
Note
References
Part I: Centrality of the Institutional Mission
Chapter 2: Communications
Approaches to Crisis Communications
Emergency Response Protocols and Players
New Modes of Communication
Leveraging Social Media Communication Outlets
Communicating with Boards
Toward a Not Quite “Normal”
Creating Opportunities to Listen
External Communications
University Websites and Statements
Public Dashboards
Governmental Entities and Agencies
Lessons Learned
Trap 1. Ready-Fire-Aim: Communicating Too Quickly
Trap 2. Analysis Paralysis: Communicating Too Slowly
Trap 3. Too Long–Didn’t Read: Communicating Too Much Detail
Trap 4. “Who Wrote This!?”: Incorrect Audience Analysis
Trap 5. Don’t Poke the Bear: Use of Triggering Words and Tone
References
Chapter 3: Global Mobility and International Programs
The Setting: Internationalization and US Higher Education
COVID-19 Outbreak in China: How Prepared Were We?
The Spread of Covid-19 Into Europe and the Rush to Safety
Operationalizing the Recall: Complications and Considerations
Making and Communicating Decisions
Reentry: Advising, Mental Health, Logistics and Academic Continuity
Summer, Fall and Continued Program Cancellations
Beyond Student Mobility: Faculty and Staff Travel
Impact on International Students in the US
Closed Borders, Travel Bans and Suspended Visa Programs
Lessons Learned
Leadership and Responsibility for Internationalization
Integration and Education of Internationalization Activities and Support Services
Reconsideration of Roles and Responsibilities to Overseas Partners
Value of Professional Organizations
Alternatives to Mobility to Meet Objectives of Internationalization and Global Learning
Connections Between Internationalization and DEI
Risks of International Recruitment as an Enrollment Strategy
References
Chapter 4: Continuity of the Academic Mission
Moving Teaching to an Online Format: A Study in Academic Agility
Preparing Faculty for Remote Instruction
Different Types of Courses
Policy Considerations
Scheduling
Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment
Impact on Faculty
Assessments
Changes Regarding Assessment of Faculty Performance
Changes to Tenure Clocks and Reappointment Calendars
Supporting Student Academic Success
Advising and Early Alerts
Tutoring
Supplemental Instruction
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
Disability Services
Commencement and Summer
Commencement
Summer Programming
Lessons Learned
References
Chapter 5: Equity and Resilience in Academic Research
Overview of Academic Research Operations
Impact on Research Operations
Initial Research Disruptions
Ramping Up on-site Research
Financial Implications
Impact on Researchers
Research Leadership and Decision-Making on Campuses
Lessons Learned
Emergency Planning for Research Must Evolve
People are at the Center of the Research Enterprise
The New Normal Presents New Opportunities for Equity
Institutions Must Double Down on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Efforts in Research
Research Incentives Need Deep Rethinking
Research Can Significantly Inform Campus Operations
References
Part II: Community and Operations
Chapter 6: Student Services, Housing, and Dining
Housing
Housing Exceptions
Housing Consolidation for Security and Cost Measures
Communication
Challenges for Residence Life
Student Health and Counseling Services
Health Centers
Counseling for a Mental Health Epidemic
Campus Ministries—the Intersection of Faith and Education
A Close-up Lens on Leadership
Dining and Food Pantries
Student Activities and Organizations
Student Groups
Recreation Centers
Lessons Learned
References
Chapter 7: Athletics
Introduction
The Context: Division I Sports
The Impact of COVID-19 on College Athletics
Health and Safety Impacts
Creating Institutional Standards in Unknown Territory
Financial Impacts
Admissions and Eligibility Effects
Recruiting
Institutional Image
Lessons Learned
References
Chapter 8: Information Technology Leadership
Rising to the Challenge
Network Systems and Infrastructure
Security Concerns
Muddying the Waters: Access and Connectivity
Supporting Teaching Effectiveness
Student Technology Access and Equity
Strategic Leadership Lessons and the Road Ahead
The Changing Role of the Chief Information Officer
Strategic Planning
Outsourcing
Mobility and Agility
Reporting Structure
Opportunities in Times of Trouble
The Road Ahead
Lessons Learned
References
Chapter 9: Operations Facilities and Auxiliaries
Initial Ramp-Down: Timing and Logistics
Planning Principles
Institutional Emergency Operation Plans and Procedures
Timing and Communications
Logistics: Running a Physical Campus in Remote Mode
Reconfiguring Distribution of Essential Services
Securing Campus Buildings
Facilities Safety and Cleaning
Consequences of Running a Physical Campus in Remote Mode
Impacts on Human Resources
Refunds for Student Housing
Alternative Uses for Vacant Residence Halls
Facilities Maintenance and Capital Projects
Planning for the Eventual Return to Campus
Lessons Learned
References
Chapter 10: Human Resource Leadership: Meeting the Needs of Faculty and Staff in the Early Pandemic
Transitioning Operations to Face Covid-19
Early Phase: Initial Transition to Remote Operations
Remote Work Becomes the Norm
Subcontractors and Vendors
Equity Concerns in Staff Transition to Remote Work
Role of federal and state policy
Continuity
Preparing for Fall 2020
Supporting Employee Wellbeing
Long-Term Impacts to HR
Lessons Learned
Notes
References
Part III: Planning and Preparation for a Post-COVID World
Chapter 11: Admissions and Enrollment
The Context
Differential Impacts on Student Populations
The Covid-19 Admissions Calculus: Meeting Enrollment Targets
Flexibility in the Admission Process
Closing the Deal
Marketing and Communication
New Student Orientations
Graduate and Professional Programs
Non-Traditional Students
Lessons Learned: The Changing Landscape of Enrollment Management
References
Chapter 12: Advancement through a Pandemic
Keeping the Future in View Through a Crisis
Pre-COVID Challenges and Goals
The Immediate Aftermath—Spring 2020 Pivots in the World of Philanthropy
Events
Campus Giving Days
Gala Costs—Actual and Opportunity
Alumni Engagement
Shifting Operations and Priorities
Rebuilding and Reactivating Teams
Pausing, Refocusing, or Shifting Capital Campaigns
Strategizing Voice and Communication
Operating without Athletics
Reprioritizing Solicitations
Philanthropy Moving Forward: Calculating Long-Term Impacts and Planning for the Next Phases
Managing Endowments
Pipeline Impacts
Lessons Learned
References
Chapter 13: Moving the Institution Forward: Contingency Planning in Extreme Unpredictability
Incorporating Equity Concerns into Planning
From Short-Term Response to Longer-Term Planning: Scenario Planning for FY21 and Beyond
Budgetary Considerations
Institutional Planning Architecture
Planning at the Institution Level
Planning at the System Level
Contingency Budgeting
COVID’s Impact on Federal and State Funding
Lessons Learned
Note
References
Chapter 14: Reflections on Leadership through Crisis
The Lessons Shared
Returning to and Reexamining the Frames of Leadership
What We Carry Forward
References
Index
