University Planning: An Organization Model

Although colleges and universities claim to be involved in formal planning there is much obvious evidence to suggest otherwise. Planning is a complex procedure, the problems of which are compounded by a changing environment. All planning decisions should be based on research but again deficiencies are obvious in actual practice. Planning involves four phases: setting objectives, developing plans, integrating these plans into the decision process and adjusting the plans to environmental changes. A fundamental problem in university planning is the selection of the best organizational structure to expedite this activity. Such a model would make provision for a five stage process: localized planning, planning by committee, planning by an outside agency, institutional research and the establishment of a specific planning department.