SCUP Commitment to Racial and Social Justice
The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) values and seeks diverse and inclusive participation. We remain deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and support all who are engaged in racial equality and social justice efforts.
Our mission is centered on the belief that higher education can share perspectives, resources, best practices, and fresh ideas that turn challenges into solutions through integrated planning. By design, integrated planning is an inclusive practice structured to bring together perspectives and experiences from across an institution’s community to create an aligned, actionable vision. This can only be accomplished when all voices are heard, recognized, and valued.
As planning professionals, SCUP members have an opportunity–and a responsibility–to drive equity, inclusion, and social justice programming at their institutions using the strategic planning process. To ensure we support our members’ efforts in this regard, SCUP pledges to:
- Ensure we focus on and discuss the removal of any barriers to full participation by all our members in every volunteer orientation program.
- Prioritize diverse representation, equity, and inclusion among our staff and in all of our learning products, volunteer and networking initiatives, and events.
- Accelerate efforts to assist higher education institutions in executing integrative planning in an effort to optimize change preparedness and transformation.
Addressing these systemic and complex issues will take empathy and a willingness to learn; solving them will take dedication and sustained hard work. We are committed to doing our part, and we look forward to working with our members to create a more equitable and just world.
On Behalf of the SCUP Board of Directors and Staff,
SCUP President
Sarah Cantrell
SCUP Board Chair
Assistant Vice-President Institutional Planning and Analysis
York University-Keele Campus
Toronto, ON, Canada
What Is SCUP?
The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) unites the best of college and professional planners. We create a range of learning opportunities, from publications to our annual SCUP conference, for our community to share perspectives, resources, best practices, and fresh ideas that move challenges to solutions—building upon a culture of integrated planning.
Integrated planning is a sustainable approach to planning that builds relationships, aligns the organization, and emphasizes preparedness for change. It is a vehicle for achieving, and whether you plan facilities, influence academic direction, or help create your institution’s mission, SCUP can help it all come together.
Where planning comes together.
Our Community Believes
At SCUP, we believe that by uniting higher education leaders, we can meet the rapid pace of change and competition, advancing each institution as it shapes and defines its future. Through connection, learning, and expanded conversation, we help create integrated planning solutions that will unleash the promise and potential of higher education.
Our community includes colleges and universities (two-year, four-year, liberal arts, doctoral-granting research institutions, public, private, for-profit, and private sector). Individuals we serve include planning leaders with institution-wide responsibilities, such as presidents, provosts, and other senior roles, to those who are in the trenches, such as chairs, directors, and managers.
We Value
- Planning that occurs in an integrative fashion across the academy linking vision, mission, and values with people, processes, and resources optimizing preparedness for change and transformation in higher education.
- Advancement of learning through the study, research, and dissemination of knowledge about planning in higher education.
- Volunteerism and the opportunity for inclusive participation among our diverse membership, both individuals and member organizations.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) values and seeks diverse and inclusive participation. SCUP promotes involvement and expanded access to membership and volunteer opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, marriage status, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, appearance, geographic location, socio-economic status, or professional level, as well as other characteristics which make individuals unique.
Our Future—The SCUP Strategic Plan
SCUP’s future is about a plan for engagement, learning, value, and effectiveness that will unite higher education leaders. Our future revolves around expanding our community, from executives to specialists, academics, and beyond, all working together to unleash the promise and potential of higher education.
Take a look at what the future holds for SCUP as our five-year plan was launched in late 2019 and is already well underway.