Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services: Reallocating Resources to Achieve Strategic Balance

by Robert C. Dickeson

Published in Association with the USA Group Foundation

"This book is a 'must-read' for higher education leaders or those who aspire to become higher education leaders. Only Bob Dickeson, with his many years of higher education experience, could have incorporated so much information in such a concise and informative manner."
--James E. Walker, president, Middle Tennessee State University"Will reassure those who are in the process of institutional review."
--Continuing Higher Education Review

Written in clear, straightforward language, Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services outlines a step-by-step method for effectively reallocating resources. Robert C. Dickeson, a former university president, guides academic leaders through the process of ranking programs according to such critical factors as enrollment size and relevance to institutional mission. The book also includes successful strategies for suspAnding programs that hover on the margins of productivity and affordability.

This flexible, essential resource will help administrators on any college or university campus determine which programs and services are the most efficient, effective, and central to institutional mission. Robert Dickeson draws from thirty-five years of experience as higher education administrator and consultant to offer useful techniques for overcoming barriers to prioritization, implementing program decisions, and achieving strategic balance and fiscal responsibility. This book's concise format is ideal for group use, including members of governing boards and public officials concerned about reform in higher education.

Genres: Management

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 1999

Reviews

[Steven Shook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Robert Dickeson's book Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services three times since 2001. Each reading of this book was triggered by a prioritization process occurring at my place of employment (University of Idaho). Dickeson effectively presents a broad overview of the academic prioritization and reallocation process. Though there is content concerning nonacademic programs, the bulk of this book focuses on issues related to academic prioritization and reallocation of resources.

It is unlikely that individuals involved in academics for an extended period of time will find the content presented by Dickeson to be new and enlightening. Rather, the value of the book is the comprehensive framework presented to assist institutions through the academic prioritization and reallocation process.

I do have some disappointments with Dickeson's presentation, especially given that he mentions that he has assisted many academic institutions through the prioritization and reallocation process. First, the book provides a scant amount of information regarding failures in the academic prioritization and reallocation process. They certainly exist. What are the "landmines" that frequently appear that negatively impact the process and implementation of the plan? How could these failure have been prevented? What can be learned from these failures?

Second, having been through the comprehensive institutional prioritization process three times in my twenty years in academia, I believe that Dickeson has underemphasized the importance of open and transparent communication and information sharing. I have witnessed the process being easily manipulated (or gamed) by individuals/programs that "complain the loudest" and those who present data/information that cannot be objectively verified. In other words, some individuals, faculty in particular, are afforded too much power and influence in the prioritization and reallocation process. And some data/information is highly questionable. One reason that administrators exist is to lead, not follow vociferous faculty and staff.

Third, it is my belief that prioritization and reallocation in the academic arena is successful when there is a high level of accountability with regard to implementing the strategic plan that was created in concert with the prioritization and reallocation process. Specific individuals must be tasked with implementing the various elements of the plan and also be held accountable with regard to their success or failure in implementation. If they are ineffective managers with regard to implementation, then they need to be relieved of their duty and replaced with an individual that is (hopefully) more capable in implementing the plan. Dickeson does allude to this issue when discussing the differences between strong and weak programs on a university campus (p. 34).

Individuals tasked with strategic planning, prioritization, and reallocation in academia will benefit from reading Dickeson's book. He provides a structure that can be used and customized for any type of academic institution (e.g., public, private, small, large, specialty, research, teaching, community college). The book is thought-provoking and definitely helpful as one wades through a rather complex process.

[Eileen Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I signed this book out of the college library where I work and it was a good read at a perfect time for me. The author, a past president of a university, outlines strategic steps to for evaluating programs when prioritizing for resources. His process defines and describes a ten step process. The narratives for each step clearly explained need with sound examples in higher education. Then I particularly enjoyed Chapter NIne, "Achieving Strategic Balance" and the Appendix sections, "Outsourcing Practices in Higher Education, "Criteria for Measuring Administrative Programs," and "Case Studies." The author does need to update the steps and also integrate technology and the affect of online courses and programs on higher education.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the "Christmas" present all the deans received from our VPI this year. With all the gloom and doom of budget cuts ahead, we may well be in a position to cut programs and services, so this was helpful in setting criteria for such an effort. Not my favorite read.