Workshop Template

From Data to Decisions: Creating a Collaborative Framework for Effective Academic Cost Stewardship

    • Welcome and introductions

    • Objectives and goals of the workshop

    • Brief overview of the academic cost framework and its significance in higher education

    • Operational Focus of Higher Education

      • Discussion on the challenges of an operationally focused approach

      • Impact on strategic planning and long-term academic program planning

    • Faculty Handbook as a Resource

      • Importance of faculty handbook in understanding policies and academic cost metrics

    • Role of Leaders and Administrative Staff

      • Importance of communication and collaboration across administrative units

    • Assessment of Current Decision Support Systems

      • Exploring the diversity and limitations of current systems in higher education

    • Building Effective Decision Support

      • Strategies for improving decision support capabilities and data integrituy

    • Group Exercise

      • Decision Support strengths and weaknesses exercise

    • 15 Minutes

    • Establishing a Foundation

      • Discussion on integrating key information systems and developing a decision support tool

    • Academic Program Classification and Coursework Delivery

      • Strategies for effective program classification

      • Aligning curriculum to coursework

    • Key steps for moving from assessment to developing an academic cost framework

    • Discussing faculty effort and financial resources

    • Building a culture of informed decision-making and cost stewardship

    • Group Exercise

      • Faculty effort activity

    • 15 Minutes

    • Budgeting Approaches and Academic Quality

      • The importance of aligning budgeting processes with academic and institutional needs

    • Collaborative and Formative Nature of Decision Support Tools

      • Developing a culture of collaboration and informed decision-making through effective use of decision support tools

    • Group report out

    • Discussion on next steps and implementation strategies

    • Q&A and closing remarks

This workshop template offers a high-level overview of what it takes to develop sustainable academic cost models within higher education institutions. Participants will explore the limitations of an operational focus, assess current state decision support systems, and explore key concepts (e.g., curriculum and faculty effort) necessary for a comprehensive academic cost stewardship framework. Through interactive discussions and practical examples, the session will guide attendees by developing an understanding of how discipline, department, and administrative level decision-making impacts academic program costs. Emphasizing collaboration, data integrity, and informed decision-making, the workshop aims to equip participants with the tools to foster a culture of collaboration and transparency when developing an academic cost stewardship culture.